According to Rumour

According to Rumour is the story of recent divorcee Carter Sutton waking up after a night he will never remember to find an unexplained stash of cash and an unwanted visit from his family, the local policeman, the mail-woman and it seems anyone else who feels like dropping by.

As ‘Carter’ awakes on the settee, played convincingly by Glyn Diggett, you feel his anxiety, as he learns that his sister and subsequently his mother are about to knock on his door, with his open plan living area strewn with the aftermath of a party he has little recollection of. Not surprising he does not recognise ‘Kitty Kat’ played well by Alisha James, wearing just his dressing gown who decided to stay the night. ‘Roger’ Carter’s friend suddenly appears from behind the settee, also worse for wear. Chris Marsh played ’Roger’ with ease and a natural delivery of lines throughout.

Carter’s sister ‘Emma’ arrives (Becky Weir) as promised along with her intended ‘Logan Spencer’ (David Vas) who although a policeman, has the most unconvincing and awful ring tone on his mobile. They add to the confusion well and when ‘Logan’ announces he is a hugger, attempts to ingratiate himself to ‘Carter’ and his future mother in law ‘Harriett’ (Pauline Boyce). Meanwhile ‘Roger’ has an eye for ‘Emma’ but the flowers and romantic card he has bought for her end up with ‘Harriett’ who rather fancies the thought of hooking up with ‘Roger’. Pauline handled both the rejection of Logan’s hugs and her mis- interpretation of Roger’s flowers very well with some very funny moments.

The mail - woman ‘Ashley’ arrives with a parcel but initially no one is around to accept delivery. In her search for some-one she notices a bag of cash in the open door to the fridge. Kathy Othen plays the role well, initially feeling honour bound to follow postal regulations and report her findings to the police but eventually becomes tangled in a web of deceit hoping for a share of the spoils. ‘Ashley’ is not alone in this idea as other combinations arise, all thinking they will share the money. Meanwhile Harriett’s Scandinavian maids (Twins ‘Martine’ and ‘Maxine’ played by Lizzy Waterhouse) who are also staying in the flat get wise to the cash. Lizzy handled the broken English well and looked just right.

The fixed set and props worked well and throughout you are left wondering how it will all finish, till the very end which was well handled. There were a few first night moments when speed and continuity dropped slightly but this began to reverse in Acts 2 and 3 and I anticipate further performances will put that right. I thank ODS for their usual warm welcome and congratulate all involved including first time director Alex Fitzgerald for an entertaining evening.

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