Review by Sue Leeman - Ilford Recorder
Ilford Recorder - 3 April 2008
Review by Sue Leeman
Stylish WOADS pull off dangerous tale of truth
There is only one word for J.B. Priestley's tautly written play, Dangerous Corner - stylish.
Set among a circle of friends in the 1930s, this is a piece that begins innocuously, only to unfurl slowly like the petals of a rose to reveal the darker heart of the story.
Martin has apparently shot himself after stealing from his employers.
The action takes place at the home of his sister, Freda and her husband Robert, who are entertaining Freda's brother Gordon and his wife Betty as well as friends Charles, Olwen and a well-known author, Miss Mockridge.
At the start, this seems a brittle, time-bound piece that, 70 years on, is permanently cast in aspic, but as it explores the timeless themes of deception, appearances and truth, nothing in this play is as it seems.
Woodford Operatic and Dramatic Society assembled a suitably stylish cast for their production of the piece at the Kenneth More Theatre.
Directed with skill and flair by Mary Lowe, this was a production that - although relying a bit too often on the prompt - was high quality.
Jo Shore gave an understated performance as Freda, whose façade begins to crumble when someone asks about a cigarette box she gave Martin. At times, Jo was perhaps a little too understated, but it seems this was deliberate and was convincing and empathetic at all times.
The same can be said for John Haylett, in another strong performance as Robert, a businessman who insists that everyone tells the truth,then is devastated by the results. The work ends with him facing meltdown and John played this part well.
Spencer Mills was all clipped tones and brilliantined hair as Gordon, who nursed a secret passion for Martin - a convincing performance that came over well - and Sophie Robertson was delightfully brittle and mercurial as Betty.
Jay Berry was splendid as the troubled, high-principled Olwen, a woman of straight-backed morals an firm ideas. She alone of all the characters comes out undented.
And Roger Barker gave a beautifully naturalistic performance as Charles, an older man who steals both money and wives. Although he stumbled over his lines several times - this dialogue-heavy piece required split-second timing - Roger was quite mesmerising.
I'm not quite sure why Priestley introduced Miss Mockridge into the ensemble, except perhaps as a form of outside comment. She doesn't seem to contribute much and although Susan Persky did well, she seemed a little disengaged at times - and who could blame her.
The piece starts with a gunshot - in a BBC Home Service radio play - and ends, amid great tension, with another apparently.
Cleverly written, acutely-observed, so Priestley. Congratulations to WOADS for pulling it off.