Something to Hide

Something to Hide written by Leslie Sands who also wrote for TV - Van der Valk, A Family at War and Z Cars (showing my age). Jenny Whur takes up gauntlet to direct this thriller with its twists and turns just as it should be.

The set a living room of a cottage in the 50s with three doors, leading to the outside, the bedroom and the kitchen. A large window stage right and settee and armchair centre stage. Decorated with all the paraphernalia and complete with safe in the wall looked very convincing by Eddie Stanley, Liam Stanley and Paul Whur.

Lighting and sound played a large part and sound cues were appropriate with the use of radio, telephones, cars and gunshots. And as always suitable curtain music by Peter Gower, Paul and Jenny Whur

Jenny has chosen to give Charley Boulton and Eloise Ward both 16 a chance to perform, an adventurous move and lovely to see a society supporting youth. Eloise Ward playing Julie Grant, very much belying her years and putting in a mature performance as the pregnant adulteress, an actress to watch for in the future. Charley Boulton as Stella, confidently moved about the stage as the maid and had some great facial expressions - just try and create some more speech inflections to enhance your character.

Alex Clarke playing Howard Holt the adulterant, lying, double-crossing, blackmailing husband – a character with not a lot to like really - I think he could have played it even harder and more menacing.  However, his facial expressions when lying or spinning his web of deceit were convincing.

Andrea Peters playing Karen Holt, the cheated wife who ends up doing the dirty, had quite a train of thought to keep up and she did this well going from panicked wife to double-crossing one, keeping up the energy at all times. I’m not sure her costumes were in keeping with the time though.

Ian Hunter playing Will Purdie the unconventional detective who wafted in from Yorkshire (or did he? . . . it definitely had an air of An Inspector Calls) He played him very laid back, gradually peeling away the layers of the circumstantial evidence, working well with Alex Clarke and Andrea Peters. A lot was played to the front and I get what he was trying to do, but I just wanted him to engage with the other actors a touch more - just my preference, but I did like his interpretation overall

Connor Parkinson playing Will Purdie has two entrances and manages to get a laugh in both with his energy and relationship with the Inspector, creating some comic relief with their repartee.

Kaye Taylor playing Miss Cunningham had me guessing, I was convinced she had more to do with it but alas this was a ruse and she was there to cause trouble and lead us astray. Played thoughtfully and with just the right edge and her outfits were spot on.

It is always such a pleasure to be invited to this thriving theatre and the lovely warm welcome.

Well done cast and crew on another Little Theatre Production.

Thank you for making my husband and I feel so welcome

 

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