Night Must Fall

Phoenix did it again! This psychological thriller was another brilliant production from the small cast who ‘do’ these types of play so well. I was not familiar with the piece at all and was delighted by how funny it was, as well as being subtly sinister. As usual the set was perfect: it was supposed to be a bungalow and it definitely had the appearance of one. The furniture and additional props were just right; for example, the flowers being changed between scenes to identify different days was a lovely touch. The costumes too were so appropriate for the period and the nurses costume was identical to the district nurse I recall from my childhood. Amanda Smith played the Nurse and although not a large role, made her presence felt in a no nonsense sort of way, typical of the character she was playing.

The cast of eight had been carefully chosen for their roles and were spot-on with their individual interpretation. Suzanne Hill played Mrs. Bramson, the owner of the home that the story is set in, and she was formidable. Her management of the wheelchair she was supposedly bound to was amazing considering the limited space that she had to circumnavigate. Her ease and professionalism when bumping into doorways and furniture was so natural that it was totally believable. Suzanne’s haughty delivery towards her niece and staff was believable but when she became besotted with the attentions from an interloper her giddiness and coyness was also perfectly carried off. Her histrionics leading to her untimely death was balanced and somewhat humorous, but I’m pleased to say that the actual death scene, with protracted, made it truly believable. Extremely well done.

Nigel Patrick as Hubert Laurie was the archetypal ‘gentleman’ whose unrequited love for Olivia, the niece, was conveyed in a matter of fact way which belied the landed gentry. His naivety and pomposity were portrayed in equal measure. Penny Field was the gullible Maid, Dora, who had fallen for the charms of the pageboy at the local hotel and from their one and only encounter found herself in the family way. Penny was so funny and gave a great interpretation of someone who was timid one moment and accepting of the situation she found herself in the next. The way that she moved was subservient and her mannerisms matched the turmoil she was going through.

Tony Hearn was Inspector Belsize and he just looked the part! It was not a huge role, but it suited him perfectly and he had a presence about him that made it obvious from his first entrance that he was in charge. Dianna Tubb was brilliant as Mrs. Terence the housekeeper. Her quick retorts and quips aimed mostly at her overbearing mistress were hilarious and had the audience laughing out loud. Suzanne and Dianna bounced off each other in such a natural manner it was a joy to watch. 

Michelle Cooper as Olivia and Tim Betts as Dan must be commended on their performances as these were, by far, the most intense in this slick production. Michelle played the niece whose circumstances meant that she had to live at the beck and call of her aunt, but who was too proud not to take the easy way out by marrying Hubert. She was more astute than her aunt thought her and whilst she knew that Dan was a ‘wrong un’ she too was captivated by the mystery that surrounded him. Her breakdown was heartfelt and credible, even though I for one, felt that she should have had more sense. As for Tim, he was amazing. His psychotic moments were very dark, and his body language matched this portrayal accurately. His instantaneous transformation back to the happy-go-lucky Lothario was sinister and creepy and yet, like Olivia, I too felt sorry for him; testament to his performance.

What made this a fantastic production was the pace at which it moved along. There were no uncomfortable silences, the quips came fast and furious in a natural way that made it so believable. I have to say that I felt completely drained at the end of it and felt as if I had been on a rollercoaster of emotions, which is just what this play was all about. Thank you, Phoenix, for another wonderful experience.

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