The Amateur Killer (a Murder Thriller) by Robert Scott
24 July 2023
ALADDIN’S LAMP SHINES BRIGHT FOR WADS
14 January 2025
For their 2024 Spring production the Woodcote Amateur Dramatic Society chose a triple bill of three one-act plays, which turned out to be an inspired decision, with the choice of three plays tailor-made for the acting talent on show. The first offering, ‘The Attic’ by Robert Scott, is a ghost story which develops from a page of a letter found as Demi and Callum clear out the attic of their house as they prepare to move. The letter reflects a tragedy which becomes
an obsession for the fragile and neurotic, Demi, while the rather unimaginative Callum appears confused by his wife’s preoccupation. Chloe Spiers, as the paranoid Demi, increasingly losing her grip on reality, was the undoubted star of the whole show, giving a mature and completely credible performance in a demanding part, while James Peedell
revealed an authentic diffidence and helplessness in the face of his wife’s deterioration. The other characters, which may have led to the original tragedy, ‘Mister.’ ‘Missus,’ and Helen, the blackmailing ‘other’ woman, were parts played effectively by society stalwarts, Patrick Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas and Heather Simpson. The dramatic tension was increased by the quality of the acting and the skilful split-stage lighting. Then there was the twist at the end…
The second play, ‘Carrot’ by David Tristram lightened the mood considerably and provided the perfect vehicle for ‘old-stagers’, Terry Sopp and John Worsfold. Terry was the ‘new broom’ Managing Director, Peter, of a nut and bolt manufacturer. John was the ‘dyed in the wool’ union rep, Brian, refusing tea at their meeting because teatime was 11.00 am and taken with the fellow workers. Change in working practices was unthinkable to Brian even with the same product being made for much less in China. Peter dangled the carrot; just how strong were the principles of the workers’ champion? The dialogue between the actors was slick and perfectly timed.
The final play, ‘White Lies’ by Richard James depicts a reunion between four women who were friends at university some thirty years previously and who had not met up in the intervening period. Helen Coyne stole the show as Bea, glamourous, wealthy, self-centred and amoral, who had treated her friends like dirt at university and immediately took up where she had left off. While Bea had continued to pursue the high-life, ‘the only bike without a saddle’, the other characters had led humdrum lives and embraced comfortable middle-age. As the play develops the friends develop a strategy for revenge on the obnoxious Bea, her obsession with wealth and her ambition to win the Lottery. Cathy Braben, (Ruth), Sue Clark, (Judith), and Heather Simpson, (Pam), provided a good under-stated contrast to the obnoxiously flamboyant Bea, while displaying their intellectual capacity for the devious to wreak a long-awaited revenge. The cameo role of the waitress with attitude, enabled Alice Benskin to make a promising WADS debut.
The rapturous applause received by all three offerings was particularly well-deserved, befitting a high-quality all-round performance.
Footnote. WADS Panto is back! The WADS will be performing ‘Aladdin’, their first panto since Covid on 29th , and 30th November and 1st December.
SP.
