Ghost Writer

David Tristram’s Ghost Writer is a quirky comedy that blends mystery, farce, and the supernatural. The play centres around Edward, a once-successful playwright haunted, literally, by the ghost of his late wife, Ruby. As Edward attempts to rebuild his life and career, the ghostly presence of Ruby complicates matters, leading to a series of comedic and chaotic events.

The production opened with a well-designed bedroom scene that immediately established the tone and setting. The set was thoughtfully arranged, with particular attention to detail that helped immerse the audience in Edward’s domestic world. Props and furniture were carefully chosen, and the lighting added a subtle atmospheric touch that complemented the play’s eerie yet humorous premise.

The play began with an altercation that effectively set the scene and introduced the tension between characters. This moment helped establish the emotional stakes and hinted at the farcical elements to come. However, there were occasional hesitations in dialogue delivery, which slightly disrupted the flow and pace of the production. These pauses, while minor, did affect the rhythm of certain scenes and made transitions feel less seamless.

One of the standout aspects of the staging was the use of the window, which opened dramatically with wind sound effects. This was a clever touch that added theatrical flair and reinforced the supernatural theme. The window also served as an unconventional entrance for characters, most notably Ruby, played by Helen Davies. Her entrance through the window was memorable, and she brought a lively energy to the role. Helen was effective in portraying Ruby’s mischievous and commanding presence, balancing humour with a ghostly charm.

Cass Jellicoe played Glenda with confidence and clarity. Her character’s grounded nature provided a nice contrast to the more eccentric personalities on stage. Kieron Ellis took on the role of Edward, and while some moments felt slightly restrained, he captured the character’s frustration and confusion well. Tim Henshaw as Alex brought a strong presence and delivered his lines with conviction, helping to maintain momentum during key scenes.

Tess Ellis portrayed Frances with poise, contributing to the ensemble with a steady performance. Norman Beaver, as Hedley, was the ever-reliable figure, adding a touch of dry humour and stability to the unfolding chaos.

As the play progressed, it leaned more heavily into farce, with exaggerated situations and rapid entrances and exits. While the pacing occasionally faltered, the cast managed to keep the energy up, and there were several moments that elicited genuine laughter. The qualities essential to farce, timing, confusion, and physical comedy, were present, though not always consistently executed.

Overall, Ghost Writer was a solid production with moments of charm and wit. It was evident that the performers enjoyed themselves on stage, and their camaraderie added warmth to the performance. The APeel Drama Group should be commended for their effort and teamwork. Thank you for the kind invitation, it was a pleasure to see local theatre in action.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.