The Cat and the Canary

Roleystone Theatre President and director of The Cat and the Canary Paul Treasure has some unusual passions. These include a love for classic film and film history and an interest in finding rarely performed plays which are in the public domain. With The Cat and the Canary, Paul takes the original play that has spawned multiple film adaptations and brings it to the stage as if it is an early film.

Set in the 1920s, on a simple art deco inspired set — the set (Paul Treasure and Elizabeth Vance), costumes (Linda Bickley), makeup (Yvette Drager-Wetherit) and lighting (Gary Wetherit) are all designed to look and feel completely black and white — giving the impression that you are watching an old film - for some reason, this seems to add to the feeling of horror - although this thriller also has moments of humour. One might comment that the script itself is filled with cliches, until you are reminded that this is the source material for much of this tradition.

A solemn and business-like lawyer (efficiently played by Gerry Chapman), gathers surviving relatives for the reading of a will. We meet feuding matinee idol cousins Harry Blythe (a smooth Caelan Steedman) and Charlie Wilder (a slick Sebastian Howard) — who are nicely matched, and the slightly awkward but decidedly likeable country bumpkin Paul Jones, played nicely by Elizabeth Vance.

Kristen Twynam-Perkins perfectly portrays poison personified as Susan Sillsby, contrasting beautifully with Kelsie Anderson's gorgeously upbeat Cicily Young.

Samantha Hutchins becomes the canary of the title, in an admirable performance as steel magnolia Annabelle West.

Overseeing proceedings are Linda Bickley as family retainer Mammee Pleasant in an unnerving, mysterious performance. We also briefly meet Brad Towton as an off-kilter and disturbing asylum guard and Anja van der Veer making a commendable stage debut as the local doctor. Connie Wetherit adds some sinister atmosphere.

This is a well-considered, nicely performed production that offers a unique theatrical experience. Presented with passion The Cat and the Canary is well worth seeing.

Kimberley Shaw