The Proof of The Poison

St Vincent’s DS put on ‘The Proof of The Poison . . .’ by Falkland L. Cary and Philip Weathers. Cary usually working with Philip King and known for ‘Sailor Beware’ play that was turned into film.

When entering St Vincent’s DS the audience is given a slip of paper to fill in before the interval so you can guess who the murderer is. I am sorry to say I failed miserably (although to be fair I had my suspicions) - what was hilarious was the winner won the self-same chocolates that contained poison (so maybe I am glad I didn’t guess the correct person)!

The set looked great with every tiny detail thought of - muted greens and cream and a dado rail running around the walls half way up. Centre Stage was a pale green settee with cushions on. Around the room were wooden ladder-back chairs and others with arms on. Stage Left was a marble fireplace and Stage Right double doors with a pelmet and swags and tails curtain to the floor, leading to the garden. A door was Up Stage Left leading into the rest of the house. Stage Left was a glass cabinet, large dark wood coffee table in front of the settee and a small one to the side. A table was also behind the settee. Up Stage Right was a writing bureau with telephone on top. A recess shelving unit with readers digest books. Pictures of various sizes adorned the walls and ornaments; candle sticks and objets d’art were around the room. Working wall lights Up Stage and chandelier hanging Centre Stage. Stage Design and Dressing Sara Hassell, Tricia Shorten Eric Jones, Alison Owen, Carl Owen and Elaine Gawthorpe. Lighting and Sound all helped the play’s aesthetics -Sound and Lighting by Phil Macivor, Susie Macivor, Jason Taylor, Adrian Mottram and Toni Maloney. Costumes looked good and were all fitting for the characters -Wardrobe by Tricia Shorten, Alison Owen, Pat Quinlan and Cast.

 

Tricia Shorten directs. There has been a murder, James Sanderson to be exact, who owns a business that makes pins and needles and was by all accounts a difficult man and anyone is a suspect. Accusations, motives and money all come into play. The characters are all suspicious of each other and secrets come out, with some larger-than-life personalities. The stage was used well with no masking. There were some good connections the actors made with each other. But there were some prompts and loss of connection sometimes to the words by some actors. The director can only do so much - the actor has to take on the responsibility of knowing the script inside and out. That being said it was fun trying to guess who had done it and why and it keeps you invested wanting to know.

Matt Smith takes on Robert Boyd - at first we are not sure as an audience what his game is. He appears to jump around with his ideas and thoughts. Mark Bradbury is Detective Inspector Harvis and clearly as stumped as we are about the goings on in the Sanderson household and with the help of James Sanderson’s sister he gets the murderer but not before being given the run around.

Helen Traynor played Angela Simpson - or was that her name? She was James Sanderson’s secretary and secretly married to his brother. Again, another suspect who has lots of secrets and Helen played it well. Her new husband played by Mike Jones played Hector Sanderson the brother to the deceased and business partner - loud and bombastic and actually like a toddler when he didn’t get his way with the will, quick to cast aspersions about other people and totally barking up the wrong tree.

Sian Billington played the step-daughter of James Sanderson, Kate Wilson. In love with Robert - unfortunately it was unrequited. Again, a suspect but more through Robert’s actions than her own. Jennifer Jackson played Aunt Agatha complete with clipboard and carpet bag ready to take her lot from the house no matter if it was hers or not, she was taking it. With more foresight than most she helps the Detective solve the puzzle. With adage-heavy conversation she soon puts Hector Sanderson right with his Spoonerisms - much to his chagrin. Funny!

Keith Hindley plays Mr Luce the family solicitor. Often having to calm the situation. Keith did a great job of the concerned family friend trying to get answers and staying neutral. Debbie Eustace played Mary Whitfield the house keeper whom you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of and don’t ring the bell to summon her. Debbie had some great one-liners and come back lines and she delivered them well as the straight-talking Mary. Megan Thomasson played Nina, step-daughter of the deceased and step-sister to Kate. Nina had a great r. p. accent which didn’t slip. Her relationship with the other characters was strong as were her little glances. Her relationship with Robert Boyd was complicated and well played. Great characterisation.

 

Thank you, St Vincent’s for your invite and warm hospitality from, my guest Dawn and I – we loved the added excitement of having to guess who-done-it.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

 

 

 

 

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