Night Watch

As the curtains open Elaine Wheeler is pacing around the living room of her London townhouse, her husband is trying to comfort her. As he leaves the room briefly she looks out of the window and screams, claiming that she has seen the body a dead man in the window of the property opposite. When the police are called all they find is an empty chair. Thus the scene is set for this very intriguing thriller.

Written by American play wright Lucille Fletcher, she set the play in Manhattan. However, P& P had reset this play in London. I did wonder why because with so many references in the script to California and other places in the USA I thought that the storyline was very confusing a times.

Perhaps it was just first night nerves, but the first act did seem very hesitant and slow. Never the less I really enjoyed this somewhat strange thriller and I was very surprised with the ending and the twist to the story line.

The age range of the cast may not have been perfect, but I thought each and every one of them gave a fine portrayal of their character. Veronica Ryder as the neurotic Elaine was excellent throughout and I thought that the change in her characterisation at the end was clear to see. June Garland as the maid Helga certainly raised a few laughs from the audience as she tried hard to inject lighter moments into the dark story line.

The set was very impressive, but the entrance centre rear did mean that there was some masking for where I was sitting and I could help thinking that there may have been a couple of wrongly timed entrances! Overall a very enjoyable evening.

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