Written by Hugh Mills
Directed by Tina Higgins
The Medstead Players love to get their teeth into a good mystery and "The House by the Lake" is right up their street.
Hugh Mills' psychological drama provided an opportunity for the talented company to show off the subtle stage skills that help to keep the audience on the edge of the seats.
Careful attention to the pace of the action, the timing and delivery of lines ensured the creation of that vital ingredient of all good crime thrillers - tension.
Dianne Nicholls gave an outstanding performance as Janet, the tormented wife of the struck-off doctor, Maurice, a complex character powerfully portrayed in his many moods by Matthew Parratt in this sad story of family strife.
There was a convincing performance, too, from Pam Kercher as his sister, Stella, calling upon all her stage experience to give that "visibly shaken" appearance without going too far as their murderous plotting goes horribly wrong and they're left with a body in the cupboard.
Their victim, wicked stepbrother Colin from across the frozen lake, was played with villainous enthusiasm by Mike Overy while Anita Prior immediately won the sympathy and understanding of the audience as his suffering wife, Iris.
Needless to say, there's a twist to the tale as Maurice and Stella try to hide their evil secret.
It's an hypnotic plot but Commander Forbes, chief constable and family friend, played with gruff authority by Neil Higgins, has his suspicions all along.
The mysterious Mr Howard (Nick Cooper) is on the track of some underhanded activity, too, although Nurse Thomson (Jenny Edwards) has a surprise for him.
But, in any tale of mystery and intrigue worth its salt, there's always a handy housemaid to break the ice and Brenda was played with an Irish brogue by Tana Riviere.
The play was directed by Tina Higgins and produced by Val Prior.
The Medstead Players scored another hit last week with Hugh Mills' psychological thriller, The House by the Lake.
Although a departure from the comedy for which the Players are perhaps better known, they obviously relished the challenge, to the notable credit of director, Tina Higgins.
The well-cast team of nine managed to build suspense and maintain momentum to do admirable justice to this gripping tale - no mean feat for an amateur company.
The three main characters particularly held the attention with the confidence of seasoned performers, Pam Kercher and Matthew Parratt as the scheming siblings, Stella and Maurice, and Dianne Nicholls as the painfully subservient Janet formed the backbone, providing an interesting insight into personal inter-relations as well as the way in which different people react to evil and how far their conscience will let them go.
They were well supported by the nasty Colin, played with plausible malice by Mike Overy, his fraught wife, Iris, alias Anita Prior, and the charming Irishness of maid, Brenda, skilfully portrayed by local artist Tana Riviere, who was also responsible for the excellent set design.
Jenny Edwards made a welcome debut as Nurse Thompson, Neil Higgins - remembered for his previous role as Little Kev - was seen in more serious mode as police Commander Forbes, and cricketing colleague Nick Cooper played a suitably mysterious Mr. Howard.
There were no weak links and the back stage crew were equally strong.
If House by the Lake was intended to stretch the Medstead Players, it did a good job, drawing out a wealth of talent to provide a thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking evening's entertainment.
[MEH]
The action takes place in the library of an old house in the country not far from London
Cast:
Colonel Forbes - Neil Higgins
Stella - Pam Kercher
Janet - Dianne Nicholls
Brenda - Tana Riviere
Maurice - Matthew Parratt
Colin - Mike Overy
Iris - Anita Prior
Mr Howard - Nick Cooper
Nurse Thompson - Jenny Overy
