Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott

At last Fairlight was able to share a long-awaited challenging thriller with so many obstacles overcome to present this chilling suspense classic.

Two petty crooks, one recently released from prison, are always ready to make some easy money. Another ruthless character conjures up a plan and cons the others to create diversions to get hold of the stash inside a doll. This has been unintentionally brought home by photographer Sam on his recent return from Amsterdam - a doll that contains a large amount of heroin and that the evil Roat, a man of many disguises will by any means retrieve. Suzy, his wife, is a determined and resourceful woman blinded by an accident and uses her determination in dealing with the three interlopers into her home in search of the doll, which at one point has been stolen by the strange 12-year-old Gloria, a girl from upstairs who helps Suzy with shopping and cleaning, not always willingly. An observant child, and it is she who helps to bring the criminals to their knees. The plot requires a great amount of concentration, is very tense and at times you could hear a pin drop in the audience.

The basement kitchen/lounge set was superbly created by Trevor Lewing and his team, with a high standard of finish and numerous working props gathered by Jenny Turner. The flat opened by front door with yale key latch, a couple of steps down with a banister and rail into a complete kitchen, with photographic development area to one side with a line running, pegs holding drying photographs. Kitchen units and bench, with stools under,  along the side to include a sink area, pipes above used for signalling purposes, a bin under, washing machine, two venetian blinded small windows above, a shelf with various china items and glassware, a large refrigerator with strategic interior light. A square kitchen table was set with chairs, a two-piece sofa, with telephone table and dial phone to the side, and in front a box coffee table. To the far side to the left of the bedroom room was placed a four-drawer filing cabinet and to its left the locked safe. Light switches, a fuse box, pull-on light, pictures hanging completed the picture.

Director Keith Miller gave a commendable performance as leading conman Roat, who looked most intimidating in a black leather jacket, gloves, dark glasses who was not opposed to threatening with a knife and dousing petrol. He changed his persona into other characters that of elderly Roat Snr. and his concerned son, changing both voices and appearances.

Congratulations to Jackie Eichler on her Fairlight debut in the demanding lead role of Suzy – a huge amount of script and business with the added challenge of being convincingly blind. Her play husband Sam was characterised by Alan Haynes also making his first appearance at Fairlight.

Regular Tom Miller appeared as Mike and although seemed tough had the ability to befriend the vulnerable Suzy – again much script and business well executed. His co-conman Croker took on the role of a convincing detective complete with raincoat and notebook in hand who was constantly dusting away  fingerprints!

Gloria was the annoying child who came good for Suzy and was very confidently acted by Jessamy Read having last appeared in the Vicar of Dibley in 2018 as a glittering angel. Policeman 1 and 2, Bez Cuss and Peter Spencer, brought the rogues to justice.

Asst. Director was Charlotte Eastes, with Production Manager Vicki Miller, and the wardrobe of the era organised by Sandi Mouzer. A production like this needed a considerable amount of technical work too with Peter Hogg overseeing the complex  lighting plot. Perfect cues were needed and together with numerous noises off, with Andrew Mier at the helm,  co-ordination was very well achieved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.