Archives - April 1997
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Archives - April 1997 |
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Produced by Mary Frost
THE PLAY
Period thriller, set in a Victorian clifftop house. Emma Cranwell, having been missing for three years, is found in Ireland suffering from complete amnesia and returned to her parents Max and Laura. New manservant Hardy takes a very suspicious interest in Emma's story and in her more eccentric sleepwalking behaviour - and an even more suspicious interest in Max's locked bureau.
Then the family gets an unexpected visitor, in the shape of Ivan Livago, a Russian who not only claims to be Emma's husband but has documents to prove it. He is murdered by Max, though, and the body disposed of as though he fell accidentally from the cliffs. A similar fate looks about to befall Emma, too, when Hardy reveals his true identity as a Special Branch officer and prevents her death.
"Emma" is in fact Sara Livago, who suffered amnesia after her husband assassinated a man. Max and Laura used that amnesia to convince them she was their daughter, because Emma stood to inherit a very large sum of money on her 24th birthday. Of course, after that, she would be surplus to their requirements...
FROM THE GROUP
Edge
of Darkness was a thriller with a Victorian setting. Involving a long-lost
daughter returning home after an accident, things are not what they first appear
to be. A sinister atmosphere was soon conveyed by the Mother and Father,
beautifully played by Ann Burfoot and Bob Wakelin and a pairing that worked
really well.
During rehearsals for this play we ran into severe casting difficulties. We had
taken a chance on giving roles to two enthusiastic new members. This proved to
be very nearly our downfall. Firstly the fellow playing the part of the
mysterious manservant dropped out. Fortunately, our dependable stalwart Mike
Liassides stepped into the breach. Then the girl cast in the daughter's role
sent me a letter saying she didn't want to continue. We finally managed to get
Samantha Merrick to take the part at short notice. Both replacements gave super
performances, far better than we would have got out of those originally cast.
Beautiful costumes were made by Mary Bailey which added much to the Victorian
feel of play as did the furnishings and decor.
Mary - Producer
Press Photo: The cast L-R: Ken Frost (Livago), Ann
Burfoot (Laura Cranwell), Bob Wakelin (Max Cranwell), Lyndsey Kite (Penny) and
Samantha Merrick (Emma Cranwell)
Backstage: Bob and
Ann as Max and Laura Cranwell
Backstage: The
Cranwell family
Backstage: The
Ladies: Ann, Samantha and Lyndsey
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