Sorry Wrong Number and Sunset Boulevard

Most people would, perhaps, remember both of these shows as films with famous stars but they were initially radio plays from the 1940’s and early 1950. Well this was a chance again to listen to radio plays with live actors reading their parts in front of us. Nash Theatre has perfected this presentation over the last few years.

Sorry Wrong Number, the first of the two, is a short, sharp, black tale of a woman who is home alone and overhears on her phone a murder being planned. She tries to make contact with nearly everyone, including her husband, as the tension builds to the time of the murder. The main role of the woman is very well done by Karen Neale who conveys the growing tension so well vocally. The other roles of plotters, telephone operators and police are minor by comparison but maintain our interest.

Sunset Boulevard is far more complicated as it tells of a past silent movie star unable to accept that times have changed and a young writer attempting to achieve fame by selling his soul and his body. This has dire results but also hurts the innocent along the way. The main role of Norma Desmond was excellently played by Lindi Melbourne, while Edward Haworth as the overly ambitious Joe Gillis interacted well in his role. Perhaps he could have varied his delivery pace at times to more match the emotion he was representing. They had good solid support from the other cast members.

When I shut my eyes to just listen, I think I had a clearer understanding of that was going on and Jonathan Collins, the sound effects expert helped in every way. Congratulations to director Gary Klinger for a good night of listening.

It was quite enjoyable to hear the old radio plays again – and see them.

William Davies