The House amongst the Willows

On this occasion, Ombersley Dramatic Society departed from their usual comedy slot to stage this psychological thriller play written by Robert Scott focused on Fletcher, who took his new fiancée, Sadie, to a remote holiday home to meet the parents of his deceased first wife, Laura. Tensions arose as secrets about Laura's death emerged, complicated by a menacing ex-girlfriend, making it a story of manipulation, jealousy, and hidden, dark pasts. 

The exceptional set, designed around a split set between a lounge on one side and dining room on the other side, each with a side door and equipped with a great range of furniture and props, was very impressive. Fletcher and Sadie are planning to stay for a few days, which forms the basis for the action, plus the final scene a year later. The initial concept that Fletcher should bring his new fiancée to meet his former wife’s parents is itself a little bizarre, but Fletcher explains they were like parents to him. Sadie is naturally nervous of meeting them and both Alex Fitzgerald as Fletcher and Becky Weir as Sadie painted this picture well and provide some very absorbing acting as the story unfolds, particularly when Fitzgerald explains to Weir some background to how his former wife Laura allegedly killed herself.

Laura’s parents Erin (Gillie Cowley) and Paul (Hugh Raymer) provide a homely couple of characters and Paul takes the opportunity to quiz Fletcher about some old rumours. We meet Kelly who randomly arrives at the house, a rather dramatic ex-girlfriend of Fletchers and Dawn Turner fulfils the role well, convincingly claiming that Fletcher actually killed Laura and threatens him with a gun.   Meanwhile an ex- cop Josh ( Steve Willis) a close friend of Fletcher, arrives and when required tries to help (although admits he often says too much) and claims that Kelly is dead and just exists in Fletcher’s head. Willis plays his role very well adding to the mystery, engages a friendly ear to Sadie, until he is shot under strange circumstances. (No spoiler here for those who don’t know the plot!)

Congratulations to director David Vas for taking on this great play with some challenging dialogue. There were some first night continuity issues, but on the other hand, some impressive lengthy solo pieces of dialogue including when Fitzgerald in the second act playing cards with some imaginary friends; he was natural and projected this well. By now Sadie really wants to leave and is particularly upset with the way that Fletcher is speaking to her. I also liked the natural way Weir reminisced about her earlier days. There were also some good interchanges when a couple in each room were talking to each other and the dialogue moved from one room to the other.

Sadly, Fletcher can only see one way out to rid Kelly from his mind and Sadie is taken under Erin and Paul’s wing and eventually they decide to sell the house amongst the willows.  Strangely Sadie  appears to have changed herself and provided one more twist that keeps the audience questioning what is real, right to the end.

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