The Thrill of Love

AUDLEY PLAYERS THEATRE COMPANY

Presents

THE THRILL OF LOVE

‘The Thrill of Love’ tells the tale of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK. It’s delivered from the perspective of the Detective Inspector involved in the case Jack Gale, played with much gravitas and aplomb by Levi Rhodes-Mckenzie.

The underlying feel is one of a woman, clearly suffering from near alcoholism and possible mental issues affecting her state of mind, possibly being framed for a murder she may or may not have committed. The play left this very open to the viewer, dark, murky forces seemed to conspire to fit Ellis into a very Ellis shaped hole for the murder of her overbearing lover and conveniently sent her to her execution.

The evocative atmosphere Audley Theatre created had an almost murder mystery feel to it, the dust crackling of the records as the Dansette record player sang into life, evoking memories of the grimy, smog bound, post war, mid 50’s Britain to a ‘t’.

Heidi Condliffe is excellent as Ruth Ellis, a really gritty, emotive performance, inspired by this deeply emotionally challenged character.

Reluctantly befriended by Club Manageress Sylvia Shaw, Lynne Willimson, has a wary, almost motherly attitude to the complex Ruth, she’s been there, done that and got the twin set. I really enjoyed her performance, her fast changes from char to elegant hostess seemed to drive the dialogue in parts.

Supported extremely well by Sophie Jervis and Candida Kelsall, as Vickie Martin and Doris Judd respectively. Vickie Martin seemed to really put Ruth off her game, stirring the pot at any opportunity, attracting more attention and aspiring to climb societies ladder higher, even more so than Ruth, to a degree this seemed to push Ruth over the edge, plummeting further into the depths of despair.

Directed & Produced by Melanie Madew, who really got to grips with the era, the sounds, sets, particularly the seedy smoke filled gentlemen’s clubs worked really well. Lighting good, Costumes were authentic, the only minor flaw being the lack of seamed stockings and suspenders, very much de rigueur in this era.

Really thought provoking performances throughout the cast, making this a great evening’s entertainment. Did she do it? She confessed as much; however, Jack Gale wasn’t convinced, which came across strongly, making you also wonder, was she framed, if so why and by whom? And why such a severe sentence?

 

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