Cat's Cradle

I like reviewing a show in a studio theatre as it gives one time to study the set and see how much attention has been given to detail. Here Peterborough Playgoers had not disappointed with a well-built box set detailing the reception/lounge area of a Village Inn. A large expanse of windows, one with a substantial window seat looked out on to a backcloth of a village scene. As the opening scenes were evening and night the evening lighting did not show its full glory until the second act which was morning. Set centrally was the reception desk, well dressed, with amongst accessories a card reader, telephone, fax machine and necessary accoutrements, A staircase leading up to the bedrooms which was much used a door marked staff only and door to the dining room, as well as the main entrance adjacent to the reception desk. The whole set was well dressed and not overfilled allowing the cast plenty of room to move around.

This was an interesting story, revolving around a mystery from twelve years earlier – was it a murder or a kidnapping, we found the answer at the end of the play. It wasn’t the answer that I had expected, the cast know the story so I won’t repeat it here just to say that the performance went so well that we didn’t guess the result.

There was a cast of eight who all interpreted their roles well, we met the Fletchers, landlords of The Cresswell Arms, Peggy and Sam portrayed by Heather Knapp and Sean Botha who it transpired had secrets to hide, these two were rather good at that and gave a good pace to the story. Helen Reece gave a good performance of the retired doctor Miss Merton, she embodied this rather batty/senile elderly lady who jumped at the chance of helping at the forthcoming wedding of Sarah Fulton, a child she had watched grow up and keeping her secret. Phoebe Fuller was Sarah, a young woman on the verge of marrying, buying pursued by a young man who held a candle to her and hiding a secret, this was a good portrayal with bursts of emotion, coping with an over protective mother, her upcoming wedding, and an unwanted suitor. Susan Edwards was that mother Pamela Fulton, a well performed role having many interactions and emotions with much of the cast, immaculately turned out with the backbone of a woman who sets out to get the best for her daughter. The unwanted suitor Bob Marriott was well played by Chris Butterly who consoled himself by teaming with the Inspector, he displayed his feelings for Phoebe and his disappointments well. Sir Charles Cresswell was well portrayed by David Edwards and could easily pass for the wealthy owner of the Cresswell Arms, he played this role well. For all these characters the dislike and disapproval of the Inspector was clearly expressed by word and action so that brings us to Calvin Lawrence as Inspector Frost, this was a role that he clearly relished although there were shades of Inspector Pratt from a previous production. Calvin is quite a presence on stage and clearly enjoyed this role and comes across as an accomplished performer.

This was a play with twists and turns and all the cast played their part in keeping the audience fully engaged with every new reveal, I did enjoy the performance of Heather and Sam, quite a believable couple, Susan’s portrayal of the mother was also a role that I liked. Diction throughout was good and clear, emotions clearly displayed, raised voices and anger clearly distinguishable. The cast were well costumed, accessories right for each character, the little touch of the logo on the landlord’s shirts. Sound and lighting were good, portraying evening, night and morning which also allowed the backcloth to fully show the village scene.

The whole was brought together under the direction of Jennie Dighton and you must be happy with all the twist and turns, the well designed and built box set and the response of the audiences.

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