Love from a Stranger

Watching the performance of Love from a Stranger , was like witnessing a clever conjuring show. All that is apparently happening is next to impossible, yet one cannot fail to be thrilled." "Mr Frank Vosper who adapted Agatha Christie’s  Original 1924  short story Philomel Cottage achieves with great art the transformation of a seemingly pleasant young Colonial to a habitual murderer. The scene where he gradually reveals his true character by tearing up his wife's scarf in a paroxysm of murderous fury was created by him with a realism that was almost horrible. 

Rory Kelly was extremely believable in the role of Bruce Lovell who’s metamorphosis from charming young man to serial killer was very Jekyll and Hide and built up as the action moved along. One suspected all along that he would get his comeuppance eventually and it became obvious what the outcome would eventually be, however his knowledge did not  detracr  from the suspense created.

Considering that she had taken over the part at a weeks notice Lydia Jones made the character of Cecily Harrington her own. The realisation of  the true relationship with her new husband was very well done and certainly caught the imagination of the audience..

There is always a joy in someone you love to hate and Susan Reeve as Louise Garrard was exactly that sort of person.: the family knowitall relation; delightfully played.

Further fine support came from  Samantha Walton  as Mavis torn between friendship for Cecily, dislike of her husband and  sympathy for jilted  Nigel Lawrence played by Emmett Meehan who looked and acted exactly like the character he was playing.

Mark Prescott was the real deal as the Gardener and Rebecca Williams was just right as a country maid of the  period.  Michael Hunter was right out of Dr Finlay’s Casebook. Good stuff from a good actor.

Direction was in the capable hands of Elaine Stewart She brought ther best out of her cast . This play was of the thirties and she certainly captured the era in all aspects of her approach.

One criticism, it was at times difficult to hear what some of the characters were saying,  Projection is everything in a theatre which is not blessed with an adequate sound system and this something some of the actors failed to do.

Having made that point this was a fine play and very enjoyable.

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