And Evermore Shall Be So

Norman Robbins, the author of this thriller was clearly trying to boost box office takings when he wrote And Evermore Shall Be So. Why? Because the plot was so complex and convoluted that one really needed to see it twice to understand it. In fact, it would have been a great help if the compiler of the programme had included the name of the author and maybe given a few facts about each of the characters other than just their relationship to each other.

The set, a room in a vicarage, was pleasant to the eye and suitably sparse, giving the actors room to move about. Very necessary, with such a wordy script and many long speeches. The costumes were contemporary, although rather at odds with having this thriller set in the present day when, thanks to modern sleuthing techniques, unsolved murders dating back four years are relatively rare and were more prevalent in past eras.

The acting was exemplary, with strong characterisations befitting each of the eight individual actors. It would seem invidious to single out any one of this superb cast but none-the-less, I must give the acting honours to Diane Aspinal as the Cleaning Lady. She often had long speeches - in particular the opening telephone sequence - but thanks to her projection and despite her (assumed?) accent, she was easy to follow and came across as a highly believable gossip with a heart of gold.

Steve White also caught my eye. How does someone who has been acting for so many years manage to look a boyish 25 year old? Steve never fails to surprise me with his diverse repertoire of characters ranging from Chairman Gordon in Last Tango in Newchurch 2006 to an hilarious Chinese Waiter in Two into One 2012. Besides the well known NDC actors on stage there were others relatively new to this drama group, such as Carla Bulmer who made a very impressive, upmarket Gwendolene Crankshaw and Danny Hicks as Roy Steadman, the flamboyant Gardener.

A most enjoyable, if often puzzling evening and if you want the full synopsis of this intriguing who-done-it you`ll find it fully explained on the internet. By way of contrast, members of the audience will be treated to a more relaxing time on December 9th and 10th when this zealous, friendly drama group will be mounting a revue - Christmas Crackers.

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