Archives - April 2001

CAT'S CRADLE
by Leslie Sands

Produced by Mike Liassides

THE PLAY

Thriller, set in the recent past, in the lounge bar of a village pub. Soon-to-retire Detective Inspector Frost revisits the scene of his greatest failure: the village of Waverton. Twelve years earlier, in the depths of a bitter winter, a baby boy was kidnapped. For all Frost's efforts, no trace was ever found of child or kidnapper.

His return is not welcomed by the village, particularly on the eve of a wedding between lord of the manor Cresswell's son and the kidnapped boy's sister, Sarah Fulton. However, luckier - or perhaps wiser - than before, Frost finds ways to start unravelling the silence with the aid of local reporter Bob, old, confused Dr Merton and his old flame Peggy, now unhappily married to pub landlord Sam. He discovers the boy died of exposure: a tragic accident that was hushed up by Sir Charles Creswell, with the collusion of the village.

When Dr Merton dies, apparently of an overdose, Frost digs deeper still: to discover that his suspicions of the boy's mother were unfounded. In fact, it was eight year old Sarah who was responsible for the boy's death - and learns that Peggy was sent by Cresswell to distract him while a secret funeral was held. And finally, he understands the truth: that Sarah deliberately murdered her brother - and that everything else that happened in Waverton was a lie for his benefit. He elects not to arrest her, taking cold comfort in the fact that her marriage to Cresswell's son will be a life sentence in itself, turns his back on Peggy and leaves Waverton for the last time.

FROM THE GROUP

Nothing to with David Jason - although author Leslie Sands did once play that Jack Frost in a radio presentation - this is a fascinatingly dark story, full of tension and twists. The characters are strong and believably written and the world-weary, desperately uncomfortable ending is a gripping piece of theatre. As a story to tell, this script is easily my favourite production to date. I've done other plays with more unusual premises, or more interesting stages and effects, but this one is an exercise in craftsmanship by the author.

I was extremely pleased with the way the cast brought it all to life with enthusiasm. Dave, as Frost, took a magnificently cynical and sarcastic lead and the lovelorn regret between him and Emma, as Peggy, was a highlight even amongst the quality performances on display. Tim - simmeringly volatile landlord Sam - worked hard to make a very able stage debut. The fiercely-protected dark secrets of Waverton were given depth by Ann and Ken, as Pamela Fulton and Sir Charles, driven by a mixture of guilt and love that came across perfectly; while the tired and confused Dr Merton - veteran Mary B - and awkward cub reporter - Chris - fleshed out the details of the plot admirably. And Lyndsey, a sparkling, girlish figure for so much of the play, gave the final twist in the tale with the briefest glimpse of the cold wickedness inside her.

A well-built stage depicting a traditional, homely country tavern provided an interesting contrast to the increasing grim sadness of the story and rather completed the whole picture of a veil of ordinariness drawn across hidden reservoirs of human failings. A very strong play indeed.
Mike - Producer

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