Night Must Fall

This psychological thriller written by a renowned playwright was an excellent choice for the Players’ October production.

Set in the 1930’s the action took place in the sitting room of Mrs Bramson’s bungalow, an elderly embittered widow who delights in making the lives of those around her a complete misery. Supposedly confined to a wheelchair she has everyone under her thumb, including Olivia her niece/companion. When a guest from a nearby hotel disappears in mysterious circumstances a police Inspector comes to call, and the plot begins to thicken, especially when a body is discovered nearby!

When Dora the maid announces she is in “the family way” Mrs Bramson sends for Dan, the bellboy at the hotel, who is responsible for the deed, ostensibly to give him a piece of her mind, but the tables are turned completely when he ingratiates himself into her good books and creepily becomes part of the household.

The curtains opened onto a well-designed and furnished set, complete with parquet floor, thoroughly sourced props, radio, clock, iron etc all very reminiscent of the period. The church bells in the background were a nice touch, and the wheelchair made especially for the production was a “pièce de résistance”!

It was good to see some familiar faces back on stage in this production. The Detective Inspector gave a solid and reliable performance, and the performer playing Mrs Bramson was just perfect. She certainly lived up to the housekeeper’s description as a “sour faced old hag”, with priceless expressions she was simply ghastly to everyone  but became silly and girlish around Dan. “I’ve taken a liking to you”.

Mrs Terence the housekeeper was also delightfully played and pulled no punches in speaking her mind, she had the audience in stitches!

While the experience of these three performers shone through and formed a firm base the rest of the cast were equally as strong.

Dora the maid “bobbed” in and out dutifully, completely overawed, and terrified of her employer. The role of Olivia was very effectively played, behind an impressive pair of spectacles she quietly displayed complete frustration with her circumstances. She managed to convey her suspicions about Dan while also succumbing tentatively to his oily charm, and effectively fended off the attentions of her “upper class twit” neighbour  Hubert, a spot on  and believable performance, who was always hanging around hoping to marry her!

One of the Co-Directors stepping into the role of the self-centred, twisted Dan, gave an excellent portrayal and was exceedingly manipulative throughout!

There was a surreal moment when a strange round leather box, discovered in Dan’s room, was carried carefully across the stage, leaving the audience wondering if this did in fact contain the missing head of the murdered lady!

On occasion the front door seemed to be left open inadvertently, and the consensus amongst some audience members on the night was that perhaps the curtain should have come down as Dan was poised holding the cushion over Mrs Bramson’s head, making for a more effective ending. Small points though in what was an enjoyable, and tense production, with moments of light relief, and which was very warmly received - well done!

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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