The theatre is packed, the audience waits with anticipation. It’s the opening night of House Guest, the second play in this year’s Classic Thriller Season. The curtain lifts, the lights go up. There’s just time to admire the shell backed sofa and armchair before the action begins. A moment of distraction (for me at least) as I see the costumes and mentally move the action from the 1950s to the 1970s. Then, along with the rest of the audience, I am gripped.
This is exactly what fans of the thriller season come for – the plot twists and turns, mysterious strangers arrive, there’s skullduggery, suspense, drama, and a good dollop of stage blood. The actors really play to the audience, and give us a bit of hamming every so often when it’s time to laugh.
It’s the first night, so there’s a little line fluffing (skillfully turned to good advantage by David Gilbrook as Burford), and perhaps the occasional shuffle to position, but it doesn’t distract from the overall appreciation of the play.
House Guest was written by Francis Durbridge – for fans of classic radio/TV, he was the creator and writer of the Paul Temple series, as well as a prolific playwright – and so the plot may be familiar to you. Don’t let that put you off. This really is a go along for the ride, fun night out.
If you want a super slick production, polite clapping at the interval, and complete suspension of disbelief then House Guest (and probably the entire thriller season) isn’t for you. If you want a gripping tale, a few gasps of surprise, a great atmosphere and a good laugh then get yourself along to the Theatre Royal.
Showing until Saturday, tickets are available from www.trch.co.uk
Review by Kim Jurgens
