No snags for Cat”s Cradle (Teesdale Mercury)
For the past week Gainford Academy Theatre has been the venue for performances of Leslie Sands” “Cat”s Cradle” by Gainford Drama Club. The club has a long history of amateur dramatics, having put on a production twice a year since 1949 .
“Cat”s Cradle” is a murder-mystery set in the small town of Waverton Magna. All the action is cleverly confined to the residents lounge at the Cresswell Arms, the inn at the centre of the town. This makes full use of the small stage at the Academy Theatre and reduces the need for unnecessary; lengthy scene changes .
Under the slick direction of Allan Jones, the traditional “whodunnit” elements of suspense and intrigue are combined with black humour. The resulting effect is an enjoyable, seamless production .
Mike Sillars does an excellent job as Detective Inspector Frost who returns to the town, after 12 years, to solve the case of a missing child. Barrington Wearmouth also deserves credit for providing the comic relief as Sam Fletcher, the uptight innkeeper at the Cresswell Arms .
In keeping with the traditions of the murder-mystery genre, the final act of the play contains a twist in the plot. The combined acting talents of the cast ensure that this is totally unexpected .
Overall, the play was hugely enjoyable, from a club with a long tradition of excellent amateur dramatics.
Drama club sets off with murder (Darlington & Stockton Times)
Gainford drama club”s first production of the year was a whodunit by Leslie Sands called Cat”s Cradle. The play, staged at the company”s Academy theatre, saw Mike Sillars turn in a creditable performance as Insp Jack Frost, returning to the English village of Waverton Magna to solve a case that had eluded him for 12 years, so he could retire with a clean slate .
The action took place at the 16th century Cresswell Arms prior to the wedding of Sir Charles Cresswell”s illegitimate daughter, Sarah Fulton. The long-running mystery to be cleared up concerned the kidnapping and murder I of Sarah”s baby brother, but Insp Frost”s investigations were hampered by the villagers, who closed ranks to ensure the truth remained hidden .
There were lots of red herrings, with several suspects, including the baby”s mother, Pamela Fulton, lover of Sir Charles Cresswell. But Insp Frost was determined to get to the bottom of the case, knowing the guilty party could only have been a resident, due to the atrocious weather conditions that left the village cut off on the night of the crime. Peggy Conway put in a good cameo performance as Miss Merton, as did Jane Graham as landlord”s wife, Peggy. The only downside on an otherwise enjoyable evening was a constant need for prompting, possibly due to first night nerves. The conclusion was most unexpected. The production ended last night. .
Others in the talented cast included Barrington Wearmouth, Louise Stephenson, Diana Peat, Chris Gibbon and Mike Brown. Behind the scenes were Allan Jones, John H Robinson, Joan White, Viv Cordial, Harry Robinson, Paul Richardson, John Wilkinson, Peter Best, David Hall, Iris Hillery, Claire Stow, Rosemary Thompson, Jan Richardson, Helen Shepherd, Jenny Dobson, Enid Burdon, Avis Tucker and David Maughan.