Snake in the Grass

The curtains opened to applause due to a stunning set which took the audience into a slightly overgrown garden at the beginning of autumn, and we all left the chilly evening behind for just a few hours. A thriller by Alan Ayckbourn ‘Snake in the Grass’ is not what could be called an easy play to perform, for a start it only has three characters and two of them hardly leave the stage, a challenge for any actor professional or amateur. Thespians approach was clear and thought through thanks to enthusiastic and careful direction, and on the whole was successful. The three experienced actresses gave considered performances but energy levels wavered at times, mainly during monologues and solo work, but this is understandable in many ways as both Annabelle and Miriam had little chance to think outside of the plot. The ‘spooky’ moments were handled well, the unaided rocking of fathers’ garden chair and the jingle of the chimes giving just enough spine tingle for the audience to shiver. A nice piece of drama for a cold dark night…

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.