Cat's Cradle

This play described as a mystery thriller certainly ticked all the boxes in all respects.
A first class set with furnishings styled in the 1960’s set in the resident’s lounge of the Cresswell Arms.
Peggy & Sam Fletcher played by Lisa Winterford and Fred Gregory were the long standing employees at the Cresswell Arms and very governed by Sir Charles Cresswell. Both characters were well portrayed and worked well together.
Inspector Frost played by David Lye a relative newcomer to the group did very well in this quite dramatic demanding role. The aside comments and quiet wit with the dialogue came over very well. David stood his ground when facing opposition after twelve years when in charge of a mystery which he had failed to solve and had returned to the village to try to piece together this puzzle.
Kathryn Cavender as Pamela Felton was excellent as the mother of Sarah.
Quite an edgy part as there was more going on than perceived at first entry, with her motives and emotions emerging when reminded of the happenings of twelve years before, which everyone had tried to block out of their minds.
Barbara Tyrrel as Miss Merton gave this part a sense of drama and as the play unfolded with her dramatic death it all started to unravel.
Callum Winterford as Bob Marriott the reporter was very relaxed, and since his first performance with CADS I have seen a very confident performer emerge.Well done Callum!
This was also the case with Ellen Gage playing Sarah Fulton.Ellen played Roberta in “The Railway Children” her first part with the society, and looked just right in the part of Sarah with a good style and sense of timing. Another name to watch as I feel Ellen could play many different parts.
Ron Bone as Sir Charles Cresswell in fact did not appear as the play led us to believe as a rather Lord of all he surveyed, but gave a more gentle and caring character especially towards the end of Act 11 when it became apparent that he also had skeletons in the cupboard which he had kept close to his chest.
Ron’s take on his character was deeper than we realized, until his revelation that Ellen was his daughter, changing emotions all round.
The costumes were good and in keeping with the period, and the lighting I thought excellent in this production.
I enjoyed the show very much and Ann Mortimer as always cast well and some very emotional and poignant acting came from the cast under her guidance.
Well done to you all, another great show to include in your 65th year.

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