The review of the play

Here's what John Slim (until recently the Amateur Drama reporter for the Birmingham Mail) had to say about our play on his website, Behind the Arras

Fast moving thriller does not disappoint

The Small Hours

Billesley Players

Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull

***

A NEW-LOOK company has no fewer than four players in the cast making their first appearance - and the result is undeniably satisfying.

This is a Francis Durbridge story that was written as a radio play, which is probably why its ten scenes give it an episodic flavour, but Iain Neville's production moves slickly between them and never gives its audience time to become restless.

At its heart is a toy koala bear - and the fact that Carl Houston just happened to mention koalas on his flight home from Australia is enough to put his life in danger and cause his wife nearly to lose hers.

It seems a tenuous link between koalas and crises, as he was speaking only to his passenger neighbour. It leaves us to suppose that his neighbour must have decided to relay the conversation later to somebody who turns out to be a Mr Big in the world of fencing stolen valuables.

WELL ENGINEERED

Not that it matters. The tension builds. There are some well-engineered confrontations between anxious people. And we go on guessing at the secret of the unseen koala.

Graham Mason is Houston, a clean-cut British hero type, delivered in a performance of confidence opposite Anna Downes, in fine form as his feisty wife Vanessa.

There is confidence, too, in the quick, high-heeled strut of Claire Davies as his PA, and in the probing questioning of Sheila Parkes, as the representative of the law.

Michael Nile gives us a pleasingly unusual character in Bernard Decker, the chef with quiet little expressions, an amusing snigger and an optimistic line in blackmail. Gemma Harris pleases as his wife and Edward Fellows is another strong performer as the shady Oliver Radford.

BLOWN THE GAFF

Nick Storr is the aeroplane passenger we suspect of having inadvertently blown the gaff on a stranger's casual mention of koala bears. He and Graham Mason set the production rolling on their borrowed aircraft seats - thank you, Flybe - with a conversation that rolls with satisfying unstoppability.

It's an excellent all-round effort. What a shame it was all for the sake of a production lasting only two nights. The only cavvil is that several players could do with a bit more push and projecion on a stage that is apparently without microphones.

To 14.11.09.

John Slim

http://www.billesleyplayers.co.uk/