‘Kidnap Can be a Murderous Game…’ Gallowglass, Orchard Theatre, Dartford. 06.03.2018

I was back to the Orchard Theatre for tonight’s viewing. My first play of 2018 was another Ruth Rendell’s Thriller Gallowglass, having seen A Judgement in Stone last year I was interested to see how this one panned out.

Middle ground Theatre Company LTD takes on this play adaptation of Ruth Rendell’s Novel (Written under the name of Barbara Vine), Gallowglass focuses on Sandor who snatches little Joe from the path of a London Tube train. Although a saviour to Joe, he was quick to make clear the terms of the rescue. ‘I saved your life,so your life belongs to me now’. Sandor goes on to tell him a Fairy-tale of a kidnapped princess, taken from an ageing prince, little did Joe know how real this story was, and a sequel was fast approaching. On one side this play is about a kidnapping, but it turns into obsession.

Unfortunately tonight’s performance didn’t draw me in as much as the last play I had seen, I found myself at times a little bored with the story being dragged out through the acts with the main action not starting until the middle of Act 2. Also its hard to keep track of all the stories that are thrown in, with characters appearing and going leaving you confused and pondering over the purpose of it. When finally the action begins, it is quickly wrapped soon after. That’s not to say there is not the classic twist to the storyline that the audience do not expect and when you suspect something you are quickly proven wrong. To me it wasn’t the best story to keep me drawn in for the 2 hours and 40 minutes, and with such a wide setting range the scene changes were a big distraction to the story. With most of the scenes being an on screen projector of an image, that was lost when the lighting hit, it lost its atmosphere. However, it did make you focus more on the cast.

There was a quite a big cast for tonight’s performance:

Joe Herbert – Dean Smith

Sandor Wincanton – Joe Eyre

Ralph Apsoland – Richard Walsh

Paul Garnett – Paul Opacic

Colombo – Matthew Wellman

Nina Abbott – Florence Cady

Jessica Garnett – Eva Sayer

Diane – Karen Drury

Tilley – Rachael Hart

Hotel Under Manager – Jog Maher

The well known name in tonight’s performance was Paul Opacic in the role of Paul Garnett. Known for his role as Steve Marchant in Emmerdale takes on a caring, loving, and father figure of Paul Garnett. His emotions throughout are clearly displayed, especially when he is driven to get his daughter back. It clearly displayed his acting ability, again proving that some Tv actors can perform on stage. HIs daughter Jessica played by Eva Sayer, was excellent in the role clearly playing someone younger than her current age – she made it look easy, and believable, making the audience like her instantly. The love interest  Nina Abbott played by Florence Cady, clearly displayed her nerves of the character, however at times it felt forced.

Joe Eyre was excellent in the role of Sandor, sending chills down your back whenever he was on stage. He was a true villain in the performance and really taking to his role excellently. His ‘business colleagues’ Joe and Tilley played by Dean Smith and Rachael Hart were also brilliant in both their roles, Dean in particular the audience would find themselves unsure on how to feel for him, sympathising him for his past and his need to belong, also how he is treated by Sandor. But also we can’t help but be upset that he is following on with the plan. Tilley brought a little comedy to the role, which lightened the atmosphere at times, she performed it well.

Although the play and story did not live up to expectations and leave me on the edge of my seat with the anticipation of what will happen. The cast themselves performed greatly in their role, clearly displaying talent throughout. If you are a fan of Ruth Rendell then this will be a play for you. I am intrigued to see what future productions will come.

Gallowglass plays at the Orchard Theatre, Darford until Saturday 10th March, for all ticket information go here. It will then continue on its UK tour, for all dates go here.