Cat's Cradle

 'Cat’s Cradle’ is a psychological mystery thriller written by Leslie Sands who has also written scripts for the police procedural dramas ‘Z cars’ and ‘Van Der Valk’.  The play features the well-known character Inspector John (Jack) Frost created by R.D. Wingfield and centres around a cold case from twelve years ago that the Inspector had failed to solve concerning the apparent kidnap of a baby.

Our story starts, curtains closed with a voice over from Jack Frost (a commanding performance from Tony Jaques) who fills us in on the facts of the case and how it has haunted him like a ‘bad dream’ and damaged his career.  Now, some new evidence has emerged prompting Frost to return to the scene of the crime and ‘dig out some clues’ along the way and even meet up with a possible old flame. We then hear the haunting refrain of the theme tune that accompanied the series ‘A Touch of Frost’ featuring David Jason.

Once the curtains open, we are in the lobby of the ‘Cresswell Arms Inn’ a pub in the village of Waverton where Frost had stayed during his initial investigation.  We meet the landlord Sam (Tony Sutcliffe) his wife Peggy (Julie Taylor) and one of their guests the elderly Miss Merton (Anne Baker).  They are preparing for the wedding of Sarah Fulton (Taya White) who is the now grown-up sister of the missing child.   There is clearly some tension in the air as Miss Merton seems incredibly nervous and constantly in the way of the wedding preparations.  When Miss Merton hints that Sarah has been through some past ordeal, Sarah’s mother, Pamela (Joanne Bowen) snaps at her cutting her off mid-sentence with an ominous ‘we agreed to never talk about it.’

Frost arrives in the middle of all this melee expecting the same warm and friendly welcome he had experienced before, but this time the air is filled with suspicion, and he finds he’s as welcome as he quips ‘a dose of Covid’.  Sam tries to put Jack off from staying at the Inn and there is clearly some tension between the characters but eventually he gives Frost room number five which obviously has some significance to him.  Miss Merton is extremely nervous around Frost especially when he calls her doctor - does she know more than she is prepared to reveal? Frost discovers that Peggy, who he had a brief fling with, is now married to Sam and they co-own the ‘Cresswell Arms Inn’ hence the obvious tension from Sam. 

Roberta Marriott (Deb Hulks) enters the Pub. She is editor of the local newspaper ‘The Waverton Chronicle’ and they settle down to discuss the details of the Fulton case. We learn that baby Matthew was only 6 months old and his sister Sarah 7 years old at the time of the kidnapping.  We also learn about a mysterious note left in the cot saying ‘Do as I say or the baby dies’ but after five days of fruitless searching, no trace of the infant was ever found.  Frost hints that some new evidence has turned up and that is the reason for his return. Roberta tells Frost that Sarah is marrying the nephew of the wealthy landowner Sir Charles Cresswell. 

As the show progresses, we witness the web of conspiracy start to build as clues are exposed as to what exactly happened that fateful night.  Frost keeps asking tiresome questions provoking reactions which are making Miss Merton and Mrs Fulton increasingly uncomfortable.  When Frost meets bride to be Sarah, who has had some kind of nervous breakdown and cannot remember anything that transpired the night her brother disappeared, she cryptically states that seeing him makes her think of ‘snow and ice.’

We finally get to meet the pompous Sir Charles Cresswell (Andy De Renzi) who is less than pleased with Frost’s unannounced presence at Waverton taunting him with ‘we got rid of you before.’ He tries to bribe Frost with an offer of work as Head of security at his brewery once he has retired.  The curtain falls on news that Miss Merton is locked in her room and unresponsive and an ambulance is summoned.

As the story progresses, more intrigue builds - how are Sam and Peggy now licensees of the pub and why is Richard, Pamela’s estranged husband now chief executive working abroad a position given to him by Sir Charles who seems to have some sort of malign influence over the Waverton villagers.  A child’s body is discovered could it be the missing baby Matthew Fulton and if so, who was the kidnapper and possible murderer?

Tony Sutcliffe was good as the suspicious husband of Peggie showing his fiery temper and cruelty by his treatment of his wife.  The interplay between Sam and Frost showed his underlying jealousy and the significance of Room number 5.   His wife Peggie, played by Julie Taylor, had good facial expressions. I liked her interactions with her husband and Miss Merton and with Frost showing some affection and maybe some guilt too.

Miss Merton was played with doddery realism by Ann Baker whose infirmities physical and mental were performed well.  Her facial expressions as she was questioned about the fateful night as she blurts out that she had seen the baby ‘dead as a stone’ were quite chilling.  I especially liked her hand shaking on her walking stick.

Pamela Fulton, mother of the dead infant was suitably brittle as Sir Charles' mistress.  You could feel the tension as she tried desperately to fend off Frost’s probing questions and guilt tripping over her son’s disappearance.

Bride to be Sarah, a delightful Taya White, was perfect as the daughter everyone tip toed around while preparing for her wedding.  Her interactions with her mother were lovely and believable.  We also got a chilling knowing look from her that could freeze your blood.  It was nice to see her in a serious acting role.

Sir Charles Cresswell was played with perfect pomposity by Andy de Renzi who uses his obvious position in the village to hide the dark secret with an almost Svengali like influence.  His interactions with Frost were perfect for his character blustering and threatening then crumbling before him as the terrible truth emerged.  

Deb Hulks played the traditionally male newspaper editor due to casting issues, and she did a good job despite joining the cast later.  Her interactions with Frost were in keeping with her character.  

Finally, Tony Jaques as Inspector Frost which was a masterly performance commanding the stage whenever he was on, creating his own version of the well-loved character. He kept his role full of mischievous humour while studiously watching the reactions to his often close to the bone questioning.  His laid-back mannerisms portrayed on the surface a man quite at ease in his own skin despite being insulted and ridiculed but with probing eyes that burned through the layers of hypocrisy and subterfuge to get to the truth no matter the cost.

I loved his conversations with his chief constable ‘top brass’ on the telephone showing his total lack of respect for authority putting the phone down with a hilarious quip of ‘wrong number.’  Another favourite scene was with Sir Charles when Frost references the plague pit as being full of more bones than a ‘Kentucky fried chicken Shop’ leaving Sir Charles totally bemused.

The set was in keeping with a pub reception area with lots of tiny details – numbered keys on a board, a counter bell, computer, telephone and pictures on the wall. I loved the painted window, featuring the village church in the distance, which played a crucial part in the storyline.  The stage was decorated very well with authentic wooden panelling and painted floor to resemble floorboards. I liked the addition of ice in the drinks, but the newspaper was only printed on the outside although I loved the attention to detail on the headlines.

Costumes were appropriate to the period and theme.  I especially liked Frost’s black leather jacket which he hung on the coat stand.  The costumes for the wedding were perfect especially Sarah’s wedding dress, Mrs Fulton’s shot- silk sage ensemble, dripping in diamonds.  I loved the little attention to details such as the flashy diamond ring reflecting her new status.  Sir Charles’ looked every inch the titled landowner wearing top hat, waistcoat and tailcoat.  

Sound effects were used well, such as crunching feet on the gravel path outside and ringing telephones.  I especially liked the use of the original ‘Touch of Frost’ theme music.  Lighting was good and the stage was brightly lit.  Despite a few hiccups, including a hilarious missed cue and some lines of dialogue, the play went very well.  From a slow build it became fast and pacy resulting in a taut and tension filled plot, building into a dramatic climax as the murderer was eventually revealed.  

Congratulations to the team of set builders and crew behind the scenes especially Susan Casserley for her artistic contributions to the set.  Well done especially to Producer/Director Cathy Sutcliffe for her attention to detail in bringing this drama to life and for creating an exciting night’s entertainment that left the audience (but not me!) scratching their heads as to who the murderer could be. Thanks also to prompt Lesley Wilson who made us feel very welcome showing us to our seats and chatting to us during the interval.  It was also lovely to chat to some of the cast after the show.  Well done S.T.A.R.S and I look forward to your next production.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.