Snake in the Grass

This play was new to me so I decided to familiarise myself with the plot prior to reviewing the production.  It certainly sounded interesting. A three hander with two sisters and their late father’s nurse and a will. The play is part thriller, part comedy and with some very scary moments.

After many years of living abroad Annabelle has returned to the family home following the death of her father.  Her marriage has failed as has her business.  Meanwhile younger sister Miriam has been practically housebound looking after their father with the help of his nurse Alice.

The action takes place in the garden which has been sadly neglected in recent years.  The set had been well thought out and constructed to include a summer house built over a disused well and an overgrown tennis court partially visible downstage left.

The dialogue was a little hesitant to start with but the pace soon picked up with all three actors giving strong, very convincing performances. Emma Letcher was excellent as the rather crazed Miriam, as was Lorraine Taylor as Annabelle, initially appearing to be in control but gradually displaying a more fragile side.  She is the main beneficiary of her father’s will and is greeted on her arrival at the house by Alice who tells her that Miriam had a hand in hastening their father’s demise. She also names a large sum of money to buy her silence.  A very good portrayal by Emma Cracknell of this rather unsavoury, controlling character.

The two sisters were on stage for almost all of the play and their delivery of the dialogue was almost faultless.  Nurse Alice came over as being the strongest of the three women but would her demands be met?

This was a very intriguing play with some very funny moments, including of course the incident at the well.

Congratulations to the Tech Team who devised the voices off, chimes, the rocking chair that seemed to rock itself, tennis balls flying around on the unused court and other unnerving incidents.  This was bordering on the paranormal and certainly brought appropriate reactions from some of the audience. 

Sound and lighting was good, especially in the second act which was set in the evening and illuminated with lanterns.

I really enjoyed this production, including the ghostly goings on and the twists and turns in the plot leading to, what for me was an unexpected ending.

Congratulations to all involved. Thank you for inviting me and for your hospitality.

 

 

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