Theft

It was a lovely sunny evening when I came to see your play but despite that there was a good-sized audience. Nomads Theatre is an ideal venue with plenty of bar space and excellent raked seating.

‘Theft’, written by Eric Chappell had two successful tours in the UK. He is a prolific writer, and of some excellent TV comedies, although I felt that this play had rather less comedy than anticipated and fell somewhere between a comedy and a thriller.

John and Barabara Miles return from an evening out celebrating their anniversary with friends Trever and Jenny Farrington, only to find that their house has been burgled. Reactions from the two men were less outraged/shocked than they might have been, but as the play continued their two completely different characters developed soundly and they worked very well together.

Mark Cartwright played the boorish, arrogant, irascible and wealthy businessman John Miles excellently. His diction and projection were first class.

As Trevor Farrington, Julian Edney was subservient and lacking in confidence in the company of his successful friend, but we also could sense an underlying jealousy of the money and life-style which were so different from his own. He acted the part convincingly.

In the role of Barbara, Moyra Brookes gave a self-assured performance and very much looked the part in her elegant evening dress.

Nikky Kirkup played Trevor’s wife Jenny with a suitable demeanour, but she also showed a strength of character when it was needed.

The burglar made a surprise appearance from the cabinet and in that role of Spriggs, Ross Hodgkinson gave a good characterisation of a blustering policeman yet a cunning burglar. He used his wits and as the opportunities arose he preyed on the perceived weaknesses of the four friends. Their seemingly happy marriages then became unsettled and trust broke down. He played the part with gusto and looked as though he were really enjoying it.

All of the actors acquitted themselves very well in their roles. Ross in particular had a great deal of dialogue – so much so that the other characters almost seemed to be ‘filling in’ the gaps in the second act!

The stage set was delightful (well done Tuesday Crew!) and deserved applause when the main tabs opened. The colour scheme was nicely co-ordinated and the items of furniture and props were all suitable for the home of a successful man.

Costumes were also suitable; Jenny’s frock was clearly less impressive than the evening gown worn by Barbara, and Trevor wore a tie and lounge suit as opposed to the dinner suit and bow tie worn by John. No doubt these differences were was meant to convey his supposed superior social status. Unfortunately John’s shoes were rather heavy-looking and not suitable for a man in a dinner suit. Well-polished lighter weight shoes would have been more appropriate.

Lighting was good as was the sound, and the choice of music at the start of each scene was thoughtfully chosen and delightfully nostalgic.

The play was well directed by Jeff Wightwick and there was plenty of suitable movement around the stage by the actors. Perhaps there could have been more obvious mess - open drawers and cupboards etc; for the opening scene.

The pace was a little slow in the first act but picked up nicely in the second act.

Your programme has an attractive eye-catching cover and is interesting.  

Thank you for inviting me to see the play and thank you also to the box office and bar staff for the hospitality shown to me on the evening. It was a most enjoyable outing and I was very pleased see another Nomads production.

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