Nightmare

The Marlowe Players returned to the stage with their production of Nightmare, a tense thriller set in the remote home of Marion Bishop. Under the direction of Jenny Cooper, the company delivered an enjoyable evening of drama and suspense.

The action unfolded entirely within the living room of Marion’s isolated house on Borrowdale Moor, just two miles from the village of Hanbury. The setting was created well with a thoughtful and detailed set design and construction by Jenny Cooper, Mike Asprey and Steve Cooper. Lighting by Rob Snell and sound by Steve Orme supported the late 1980’s mood effectively.

Doris Meacham, played by Linda Cheshire, gave the evening’s standout performance. Linda brought confidence, clarity and a strong stage presence to the role, providing the audience with an anchor throughout the twists and turns of the story.

Claire Wade portrayed Katherine Willis a neighbour, a role that required focus and precision. Claire showed good characterisation, something the audience always appreciates, working well with Iain Maple has her disabled brother Michael Willis. Iain was always in character and very believable with his wet through clothes.

Mike Smith as Dr Andrew Thorne delivered a steady and believable performance, guiding the audience through some of the plot’s more complex developments. Martin Weston, in the role of Raymond Shapley, also provided solid support and handled his part confidently, unnerving the audience with his criminality.

Karen Gregson, playing Marion Bishop, brought warmth to the role of the vulnerable patient whose welfare becomes the centre of the unfolding drama. Whilst providing some key plot twists. Nikky Smith as Laura Vinniecombe contributed well to the tension and interaction between characters, whilst keeping everyone guessing.

Behind the scenes, a committed backstage team ensured the performance ran smoothly. Stage Manager Phil Gregoson kept the production moving, while Belinda Elliott-Dawes provided well-chosen props that enhanced the setting. Sue Orme looked after continuity, and the combined effort of the backstage crew was evident. There were occasions where the cast required prompting, and while this naturally slowed the pace at times, the prompt worked very hard to keep the action flowing. The company should be commended for carrying on professionally despite these challenges.

Director Jenny Coopers vision for the atmosphere of the play was clear. Nightmare is a demanding piece, and Jenny and her team approached it with enthusiasm and commitment.

Overall, this was an enjoyable production, and the Marlowe Players once again demonstrated their passion for live theatre. Congratulations to all involved.

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