Curtain up on Murder

CURTAIN UP ON MURDER a play presented by St Ambrose Players at St Ambrose Halls 4 Hall, Moss Lane, Leyland on Saturday, 12th February, 2022.

Curtain up on Murder is a thriller written by Bettine Manktelow which centres around an amateur theatre company rehearsing in a theatre at the end of a pier.  As storms rage overhead and the doors to the theatre are locked – they find themselves locked in!  A mysterious, ghostly presence passes across the stage, and when the Prompt and Props Assistant falls to certain death through a trapdoor, the remaining actors are thrown into disarray!  Their panic increases when one of the actresses is poisoned and it becomes evident that a murderer is in their midst - a murderer who, it soon transpires, will stop at nothing until they are all dead ...  WHO DUNNIT?

It was so good to be back supporting and watching St Ambrose Players, doing what they do best!  My last visit was the 22nd February, 2020 and, as we know, much has changed since then!  But what had not changed was the performance from this very friendly society!  As the hall filled with the society’s loyal supporters, the atmosphere was one of anticipation and excitement; you could just tell that everybody present was just so glad to be back watching live theatre!

The direction of this play had been put in the capable hands of David White and his assistant Dot Pilkington.  They had gathered together a talented and enthusiastic cast of eight, all of whom were well rehearsed and ready to give their all.  So as the lights dimmed and the curtains opened for the first time in over two years and with the sound of waves and seagulls echoing throughout the auditorium, we all sat back ready to enjoy our evening and we were not to be disappointed!  Congratulations to you both on some great casting and a job well done! I think I’d be right in suggesting that there were no leading actors or actresses in this play, this was very much an ensemble piece, the success of which relied on every member of the cast doing his or her bit in an effort to guide us through the many twists and turns and the unexpected conclusion of this play, within a play, within a play!

The cast - Paul Regan gave us a well-judged performance as the conceited, arrogant, full of himself ‘Alex’, who, whilst living with ‘Ginny’ is having an illicit affair with ‘Sylvia’!  Paul created a totally believable character, had great stage presence and worked really well with other cast members… well done, be proud!   Julie Webster played the part of ‘Sylvia’ - the Diva … lover to ‘Alex’ and wife to ‘Martin’. Julie looked totally comfortable in this role; great characterisation, great stage presence and ‘traded’ her affection between ‘Alex’ and ‘Martin’ with ease; again, worked well with the cast… be ever so proud Julie!  Phil Quinn played the part of the rather ‘boring’ Director ‘Martin’… married to ‘Sylvia’ and totally oblivious of her affair with ‘Alex’. Phil had some great lines which he delivered with aplomb!  Again, great characterisation, some wonderful mannerisms, (loved the jaunty walk) again worked ever so well with the other cast members… well done sir, be proud!  ‘Sandra’ the ‘bright / confident’ Prompt and Props Assistant was played wonderfully well by Sarah White.  A character with, many different ‘guises’… all of which she characterised ever so well. Great stage presence, great diction… be proud Sarah!  Beth Wharton took on the role of the shy, dotty perhaps naive ‘Ginny’ who came along with ‘Sandra’ to become part of the theatre group. Listening to some of the conversations during the interval... ‘Ginny’ was a strong contender for the ‘murderer’… totally believable, good stage presence, gave her character life… well done Beth, good job!  Siobhan Edge played the part of ‘Moppet’, the messy, untidy, sweet, likable knitter!  Siobhan gave us a wonderful interpretation of this character… great comedic timing, great stage presence, everything just looked so relaxed, she just drew you in with her well-paced dialogue… if I’m to ‘stick my neck out’, probably the ‘outstanding performance’ of the night for me… great job, be ever so proud!  Sarah Fearn took on the role of ‘Linda’… the smart, attractive young women who lives with ‘Alex’ and who confronts him in the theatre about his ‘affair’. Again, great interpretation on the character, great stage presence… another who worked ever so well with the other cast members… be proud Sarah.  Finally, Tony Stevens played the part of ‘Harry’, the ‘Chatty Caretaker’ or so we were led to believe!  Another with many sides to his character which he created with ease as the script progressed.  Totally comfortable throughout, had the honour of bringing the evening to a close… ‘OH YOU STILL HERE…YOU CAN ALL GO HOME NOW!’

St Ambrose are blessed with an extremely talented ‘backstage crew’, led by Graham Forrest and Dot Pilkington (Stage Managers), with Graham doubling up as Set Designer.  The set was a simple, single one, constructed by Graham, Gordon Manley, Martin Dempsey and Paul Gregson who was also the person responsible for designing the set and for painting it (congrats Paul great job sir).  The set worked really well and added so much to the overall production… well done one and all!

Sound and Lighting is never the easiest at this venue, but Stephen Porter, Dylan Bycroft and Jack Greenwood did a good job of it all…well done guys… I cannot imagine the issues you will have had to overcome!

Costumes and Props… Jean Lee and Phreya Unitt were in charge of Costumes and Props which were provided by the cast.

I always feel a good way to gauge the success of any show is to ‘eavesdrop’ on the audience as they leave the venue.  After listening to the comments and acclaim that evening, there was little or no doubt that this production had been a massive success… well done everyone!

So, as previously stated, it really was so good to see you guys back doing what you do best!  I know of the many 'hoops and hurdles' that you’ve had to jump through and over… but having witnessed tonight, then I think you should all be so proud… together you did it! 

So, as Julie rightly pointed out after the bows, ‘LIVE THEATRE IS BACK’ and lets also acknowledge the fact that ST AMBROSE PLAYERS ARE ALSO BACK!

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I and for your welcome… congratulations to all concerned on a truly wonderful evening of great entertainment keeping the audience guessing and interested right up to the last line…. and who could have predicted the final twist!

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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