Hold My Scream

Hold My Scream performed by Hyde Musical Society was my first murder mystery of this season. It was performed more cabaret style with four separate “staged” spaces set out on the perimeter. Three of the four spaces - the living room, the office, the station platform were all very well represented and it was very obvious that a lot of thought and planning had gone into the construction and the dressing.  The fourth space was just a lecturn for the police inspector.

The sound was ok and relied upon the actors own levels and strength of projection, music had been added to run under certain scenes - in my personal opinion this was a genius move as it added another dimension to the scene.

Costumes were good throughout and looked very fitting for the era .

Daniel Cope as Harry Doyle was very committed to his characterisation, however, I personally didn’t quite get the attraction vibe with Emma Bennett (Kathryn Shenton) but that could be down to the vehicle as opposed to the actors acting skills. Andy Greenwood as Oliver Bennet played a great drunk - it’s a difficult thing to do with conviction. Darren Shenton ( Inspector David Marshall) and Michael Baines (Sergeant Colin Wright) showed some good chemistry and comedic timing, both looked very confident and convincing in their roles. Nigel Slater as Jack Whitmore was an absolute masterclass in his characterisation, every glance, every movement was used to further enhance his mean character. Clare Pascoe (Sophie Harrington) and Kathryn Shenton (Emma Bennett) showed the easy way that sisters have between them, butting into each others sentences, laughing freely at things. There was a delightful easiness between their characters which highlighted the stark differences between Emma (Kathryn) and Oliver (Andy). Alison Baines as Lucy Morton played a very strong character with aplomb, her fierce protectiveness of the timid Amelia Hughes ( Bev Davies) against Jack Whitmore was solid, she played a perfect red herring.  Tom Corcoran as Callum Bennett had a strong characterisation and understanding of his mixed up character, his interactions with his drunk father Oliver Bennett (Andy Greenwood) were very true to life.

Thank you for inviting me. Both myself and my guest enjoyed your production of Hold My Scream and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

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