An Evening of Unearthly Encounters

An Evening of Unearthly Encounters is exactly as described. This presentation of two ghostly plays, both by John Lewington, explores visits from the ‘other side’ in a rather eerie little compilation.

In the first play, Portrait of My Love, directed by Anita Bound, a young Australian woman returns to take possession of her inheritance, her deceased father’s home in the United Kingdom, with frontage to the sea.

A hard working cast works well as an ensemble. Naoimh Healy, as Jean, is at the centre of the plot, and her belief in what she sees and feels is integral to the show’s success. Dan Wilson plays her cynical step-brother, who interestingly has more than brotherly feelings for her. Colleen Bradford is solid as Jean’s mother, who has a very sad secret and Jaymon Bound brings power to his ethereal character.

Portrait of My Love requires some suspension of belief, less for the spiritual aspect as for some of the ‘real life’ events that seem unlikely, and the delivery is a little stilted, especially during some lengthy exposition - but it did have the audience on the edge of their seats.

The well-appointed set is lovely. The featured piece, a charming portrait integral to the plot, was very strikingly created by Assistant Director Keegan Sambridge, with a ‘surprise’, flawlessly executed. Don Allen’s lighting design provides much atmosphere in both plays.

After interval, the curtains open on a vastly transformed set. Well done to Geoff Rumsey for creating two very different looks and a clever transition.

In Coming Back, a British surgeon returns to his cottage in the Cotswolds with his new American wife. We learn that Trevor’s first wife died here, and that the home has been unable to retain tenants during the intervening years.

A believable relationship between Trevor (Paul Williams) and his bride (Charlotte Weber), as we are exposed to mysterious appearances from ghostly butler Pinton (Geoff Rumsey). The story is unsettling and well-presented with the audience engaged, but it appeared that there was some hesitancy with lines, and Geoff Rumsey, although the consummate butler, is perhaps a little mature for his character’s back-story.

Lovers of classy horror stories will enjoy these ghost stories - very apt entertainment for a cold winter evening.

Kimberley Shaw