House Guest

House Guest a play performed by Southport Dramatic Club, on Thursday, 16th November 2023 at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport.

House Guest is a modern-day thriller penned by Francis Durbridge.  The storyline centres around a ‘kidnapped child’, ‘distraught parents’, an ‘assortment of villains’ (who come in many forms and guises), an ‘armoury of weapons’ and the ‘essential drinks trolley’ … throw in for good measure, many surprises and more twists and turn than ‘Spaghetti Junction’ then you should have a good idea of what lay ahead!  The action takes place in the home of the Drury Family… Robert (a successful film actor) and his wife Stella.  They live in the stockbroker belt on the St George’s Hill Estate in Weybridge.  Much of the suspense, for both the Drury’s and the audience centres around why the child had been taken… not for money it would appear …  so why?

The Production Team… the play was in the capable hands of Mike Yates (Director) who, as insisted in his programme notes, was ably assisted by Emma Wells-Hall (His Prompt).  As previously stated, the storyline had more ‘twists and turns’ than most plays and again referring to Mike’s programme notes…he suggests this was his major challenge… to help the actors create the authentic characters needed to develop this complex storyline and let them run with it!  Were Mike and Emma’s efforts successful… from the applause that greeted the finale and from the positive comments I overheard as I was leaving, then I would suggest that it was…you kept us all on the edge of our seats from start to finish…. well done both of you be ever so proud!  

The Cast… dilemma!  It’s sometimes difficult to start suggesting that someone was better than someone else when you can see that every cast member had given their all… sometimes when you ‘stick your neck out’ you do injustice to others, and I think that would be the case here!  The cast, to a one, gave us their all, they worked ever so well together, creating those individual ‘authentic characters’ that Mike Yates was looking for… so if you give your all … then there’s very little more you can ask!  But, having said all that, I do think it would be remiss of me not to give just a few ‘shout outs’ … starting with Ted Bullen who took on the role of ‘Inspector Burford’… again referring to Mike’s programme notes, he talks about hoping we all either ‘loved or loathed’ the characters created… well let’s start with ‘loathed’!  OMG, I think everyone in the theatre ‘loathed’ the ground that Inspector Burford walked upon!  But what a great character created!  Loved the little annoying mannerisms, the hateful snigger… not even a laugh, his diction was clear and precise throughout, didn’t miss a word… in a good way I REALLY DID LOATHE HIM, be proud Ted, great job!   From ‘loathed to loved’… the DRURY’S … ‘Robert’ played ever so well by Adrian Miles-Roberts and ‘Stella’ played ever so well by Sandie Keane.  Adrian’s role was a ‘double role’ really, an ‘alter ego’ type situation if you like… you would need to watch the production to understand this, don’t want to spoil the plot for people watching in the future … but both characters created were impressive!  Adrian had a real presence on stage, he gave both characters life and he also interacted ever so well with all the cast … great job Adrian!  Sandie provided us with another great character… poise, presence… whilst showing a ‘corroding concern’ wondering about the fate of her abducted son, another, that interacted ever so well with all the cast, another with great diction and a perfect fit for this role!  Honestly, I could go on… Graeme Hunt’s portrayal of the ‘very nasty’ ‘Sergeant Clayton’ was admirable, another you just ‘loathed’ well done Graeme…. Dave Cox took on the role of another ‘nasty pasty’ that was ‘Major Crozier’ another that you just wanted to loathe, loathe, loathe and I think we all did!  More nastiness came in the form of Corinna Davies’s and her portrayal of ‘Vivien Norwood’.  First impressions ‘butter wouldn’t melt’, but never judge a book by its cover … by the end, another that you just ‘loathed’… great job throughout Corinna, be really proud!  At last, some ‘friendly folk’ but when I say friendly, in the case of ‘Dorothy Medway’ played well by June Beswick … friendly, but really annoying… all she wanted was to be shown ‘the money’… always broke, always looking for her handout from Robert!  Good character created, well done June!  Finally, Wendy Cox took on the role of ‘Jane Mercer’… the Drury Families Secretary who is totally devoted to everything Drury! Wendy did a great job with this role, the empathy toward the Drury’s throughout their ordeal was believable, another with great diction… be ever so proud Wendy, good job!

Set/Staging/Tech … a single set was used throughout which represented the ‘living room’ at the Drury’s Country Home in Weybridge which was well set out and well-furnished providing everything the actors required to do ‘their thing’ well. Pete Beswick (Stage Manager) was the man in charge with all things stagewise!  
Set Design … Alan Gosling & Mike Yates. 
Scenic Artist …  Bob Jesmine.  ~
Set Construction … SDC Team. 
Lighting …  as always, was first rate under the watchful eye of Syd Coley
Sound …  in the capable hands of Chris Ratcliffe.   

NOT A CRITISISM … just slightly puzzled as to why the ‘House Curtain’ came in at the end of every scene …it just seemed to break up the play somehow!  With nothing changing, set or stage wise only ‘timewise’ … and if this was to depict time progression… I would have thought the lighting plot would/could have been better used … slightly confusing and not something you often see… didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the production!

Costumes … as always, the costumes were first rate and enhanced the play ever so much… Michele Martin & Sam Fulstow
Properties… again well thought out and used extremely well under … the watchful eye of Phil Povey & Becky Collingham
Stage furniture… the furniture used was apt and authentic enhancing the play ever so much!

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I…. it really was a pleasure to be in the audience that evening, we thoroughly enjoyed our ourselves and look forward to seeing you all again during ‘panto’ time and ‘The Pied Piper’…

Stay safe and keep well…

‘STRONGER TOGETHER’

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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