A Judgement in Stone
The Classic Thriller Theatre Company
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
5th - 10th June 2017
The Classic Thriller Theatre Company
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
5th - 10th June 2017
"If you want to know ‘why’ and not ‘who’ done it? Come and see Ruth Rendell’s A Judgement in Stone."
For ten years, The Agatha Christie Theatre Company have toured with Agatha’s crime thrillers and often appeared at the Palace Theatre. Indeed, it’s believed that the theatre holds the world record for performing Agatha Christie plays. Now the company have entered a new chapter as The Classic Thriller Company. After their successful production of Rehearsal for Murder, they have turned to one of the works of the celebrated crime writer Ruth Rendell. This play A Judgement in Stone, set in the 1970s, is about society misfits, and the collision of class and social values.
Roy Marsden, who is a well- known figure at the Palace, directs this thriller. He was the artistic director during the 90s, when the Green & Lenagan theatre company ran it. He also knows a thing or two about murder mysteries having played P D James’ Adam Dalgleish in the TV series.
Murder mysteries are always popular, and this was no exception, as this first night house was full. As it began the solitary figure of a subdued, rather strange Lowfield Hall housekeeper, Eunice Parchman, (Sophie Ward) appears. This is a well-acted performance by Sophie, as she becomes a slow, shuffling creature and almost unrecognisable. Then two police officers arrive at this grand house to solve the murders of the Coverdale family.
I was very impressed by the splendid set, designed by Julie Godfrey. It had high leaded windows with outside views, an off stage room and bookcases that realistically conveyed the wealth of the family.
As the police review the evidence with the housekeeper, the story unfolds in flashback. In the beginning, this was somewhat confusing, as the family appeared, acting out the events leading up to their murder. Sometimes, the exits and entrances overlapped and the family and the police were on at the same time. I am not sure if this was direction or due to the limitations of the stage.
Roy Marsden, who is a well- known figure at the Palace, directs this thriller. He was the artistic director during the 90s, when the Green & Lenagan theatre company ran it. He also knows a thing or two about murder mysteries having played P D James’ Adam Dalgleish in the TV series.
Murder mysteries are always popular, and this was no exception, as this first night house was full. As it began the solitary figure of a subdued, rather strange Lowfield Hall housekeeper, Eunice Parchman, (Sophie Ward) appears. This is a well-acted performance by Sophie, as she becomes a slow, shuffling creature and almost unrecognisable. Then two police officers arrive at this grand house to solve the murders of the Coverdale family.
I was very impressed by the splendid set, designed by Julie Godfrey. It had high leaded windows with outside views, an off stage room and bookcases that realistically conveyed the wealth of the family.
As the police review the evidence with the housekeeper, the story unfolds in flashback. In the beginning, this was somewhat confusing, as the family appeared, acting out the events leading up to their murder. Sometimes, the exits and entrances overlapped and the family and the police were on at the same time. I am not sure if this was direction or due to the limitations of the stage.
The employment of downtrodden Eunice displaced the regular cleaner (Shirley Anne Field) who played her part in a strange monotone and had a shuffling gait. The two of them were like the Grimm sisters. I particularly liked the Detective Sgt., played by Ben Nealon who had a strong stage presence in an underwritten part. He was the stronger of the two policemen, even though he was the underling to the Detective Superintendent (Andrew Lancel).
There was a strong cast of well- known actors, and it was nice to hear Mark Wynter singing, albeit opera, bearing in mind he was once a top ten pop singer. Although he played his part well, some of his dialogue was rather trite. In one scene, he declares angrily, ‘This woman is destroying the fabric of our happy family.’ I am not sure if this is the fault of the writer Ruth Rendell, or the adaptors Simon Brett and Antony Lampard.
The play was rather slow and static, until a new character, the local postmistress (Deborah Grant) appeared, as a rather over the top Dolly Parton figure. Unfortunately, her character became bigger and bigger, as Deborah was obviously enjoying being a bible bashing ex prostitute. However, it was unbelievable that she would befriend the subdued Eunice and it began to look as though she was in the wrong play.
A Judgement in Stone is really about analysing the motive behind the murders, rather than a ‘who done it?’ As the ending was already known, it was difficult to build any tension, but when it came, it was still a surprise. However, the denouement was so over the top that there was some tittering amongst the audience. It began to look as if the lunatics had taken over the asylum.
Apparently, this story is thought to be one of Ruth Rendell’s greatest works, and the original novel opens giving the reason for the murders. The play allows us to ponder on who the murderer is, until the reveal at the end. Crime fiction buffs will enjoy this drama and it is on at the Palace until Saturday 10 June.
Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Tues to Thu 8pm & Thu and Sat 2.30pm - £30.00 £29.00 £19.00
Fri and Sat 8pm - £32.00 £31.00 £21.00
Concessions £2.00 off (excludes Fri and Sat 8pm)
Senior Citizen Mid-Week Matinee Special £26.00
U16s £19.00 (excludes Fri & Sat 8pm)
Go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
There was a strong cast of well- known actors, and it was nice to hear Mark Wynter singing, albeit opera, bearing in mind he was once a top ten pop singer. Although he played his part well, some of his dialogue was rather trite. In one scene, he declares angrily, ‘This woman is destroying the fabric of our happy family.’ I am not sure if this is the fault of the writer Ruth Rendell, or the adaptors Simon Brett and Antony Lampard.
The play was rather slow and static, until a new character, the local postmistress (Deborah Grant) appeared, as a rather over the top Dolly Parton figure. Unfortunately, her character became bigger and bigger, as Deborah was obviously enjoying being a bible bashing ex prostitute. However, it was unbelievable that she would befriend the subdued Eunice and it began to look as though she was in the wrong play.
A Judgement in Stone is really about analysing the motive behind the murders, rather than a ‘who done it?’ As the ending was already known, it was difficult to build any tension, but when it came, it was still a surprise. However, the denouement was so over the top that there was some tittering amongst the audience. It began to look as if the lunatics had taken over the asylum.
Apparently, this story is thought to be one of Ruth Rendell’s greatest works, and the original novel opens giving the reason for the murders. The play allows us to ponder on who the murderer is, until the reveal at the end. Crime fiction buffs will enjoy this drama and it is on at the Palace until Saturday 10 June.
Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Tues to Thu 8pm & Thu and Sat 2.30pm - £30.00 £29.00 £19.00
Fri and Sat 8pm - £32.00 £31.00 £21.00
Concessions £2.00 off (excludes Fri and Sat 8pm)
Senior Citizen Mid-Week Matinee Special £26.00
U16s £19.00 (excludes Fri & Sat 8pm)
Go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Ask the Audience
|
Mary – from Southend
"I don’t think the flashbacks helped. When the family and the police were on stage at the same time it was confusing and didn’t add to the production. Some of the acting was over the top, but it was enjoyable overall." |
|
Linda & Richard from Thorpe Bay
"The play was a bit disjointed especially when the family hadn’t left the stage before the police came on. It might be because the actors were used to bigger stages and it will improve later on, as it was the first night. As we are regular theatregoers we made allowances for that, but the flashbacks made it confusing. Also, in the first half, there were some pauses and we wondered if they were waiting for the audience to laugh, although that isn’t usual in a murder mystery. There were some good performances and we thought Sophie Ward was excellent, but Shirley Anne Field was a bit strange. The overacting of the postmistress made her seem like a demented witch cackling around a cauldron." |
|
|
The tour continues:-
Mon 12 - Sat 17 June Box Office: 01332 59 39 39 Derby Theatre, Derby Mon 19 - Sat 24 June Box Office: 0844 871 7647 Theatre Royal, Glasgow Mon 26 June - Sat 1 July Box Office: 0844 871 7645 New Victoria Theatre, Woking Mon 3 - Sat 8 July Box Office: 01902 429 212 Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Mon 10 - Sat 15 July Box Office: 01423 502116 Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate |
Mon 17 - Sat 22 July Box Office: 0844 871 7649 Regent Theatre, Stoke Mon 24 - Sat 29 July Box Office: 0844 871 7652 Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes Mon 31 July - Sat 5 August Box Office: 08448 11 21 21 Theatre Royal, Newcastle Tues 19 - Sat 23 September Box Office: 024 7655 3055 Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Mon 25 - Sat 30 September Box Office: 01322 220000 Orchard Theatre, Dartford |