Kidnap Game at STAG

STAG (Vic) presents Tudor Gates’ The Kidnap Game directed by Cameron South at the Strathmore Community Hall from 18-27 August.

Paul Kendon is a highly successful businessman, international arms dealer, and head of a large corporation. His world is turned upside-down, however, when he receives a telephone call from a man claiming to have kidnapped his daughter, Sarah. Although Kendon is prepared to pay the ransom and keep quiet, his security officer Daines, calls in the police - in the form of the cool and intelligent Inspector Joy Hart. Kendon must now take a back seat as Inspector Hart engages the kidnapper in a battle of bluff and counter-bluff, leading to the exciting climax with its unexpected twists. The crisis is resolved but, for Paul Kendon who has devoted his life to his business, the cost is counted in personal, rather than financial, terms.

Tudor Gates was a prolific writer for both stage and screen in the UK prior to his death in 2007. He penned Hammer Horror films Twins of Evil and Vampire Circus; he was also a chief writer for the Jane Fonda film Barbarella as well as writing for several British television series including The Sweeney. His works for the stage include Who Saw Him Die? and Who Killed Agatha Christie? The Kidnap Game was penned in the early 1990s during the height of the first Gulf War and draws upon the political tension and climate of the era.

Cameron South’s directorial credits include It's Cool in the Furnace, A Dog’s Life as part of the WLT inaugural Play 6 season, and in 2010, Disposing of the Body for The Basin.

Of The Kidnap Game, South says, “The play has some notable references mainly due to its release around the time of the Gulf War. The author remarked at the time that due to this series of attacks, the play might not actually find a home in the UK at the time, but was welcomed with the opposite reaction from the audiences. However, given that this is not a play that has been done very often from a non-professional perspective, which is something I also look for when coming to choose a play to direct, the prospect of producing something fresh for audiences to view is a real joy.

The cast includes STAG regulars Luke Smith and Drew Mason with newcomers Curt Farrell, Hayley Lawson-Smith and Amy Vanderharst. Settings by Tony Leatch.

Photo: Joy (Hayley Lawson-Smith), Kendon (Drew Mason), Sarah (Amy Vanderharst). Photographer: Alex Lance.

Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group

STAG Theatre, Strathmore Community Centre, corner of Loeman and Napier Streets, Strathmore

Thursday 18 August to Saturday 20 August @ 8pm, Sunday 21 August @ 2pm, Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 August @ 8pm

Bookings: (03) 9382 6284 www.stagtheatre.org/reservations

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