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Dangerous Corner
by J. B. Priestley Play October/November 2008 Directed by David Haydon
· Autumn Play 2008 – J.B. Priestley’s “Dangerous Corner” On
Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November 2008,
David Haydon directed the Players in their second Priestley play. Many thanks
to all who took part in this challenging production of a period drama. No
Players performances would be able to go ahead if it weren’t for the constant
time and effort invested by those both on and off the stage and we are
grateful to anyone who supports us.
‘Dangerous Corner’ by J B
Priestley, directed by David Haydon, was the Somborne Players’ latest
triumph! The
play starts with four elegantly attired women in the drawing room of the
Caplan’s house in 1932. They are discussing a radio play they have been
listening to, called "The Sleeping Dog". The men join the ladies
one of whom, Olwen Peel (Vanessa Sharpe), believes that the dog in the title
represents truth and a discussion follows about whether it is better or not
to let it lie: whether some things are better left unsaid – or not. One
of the people present makes a casual comment as a musical cigarette box is
opened which leads to the twists and turns of the plot.
Robert
Caplan’s (Andrew Flanagan) brother is believed to have stolen £500 from the
firm and then to have shot himself as a result and the more we learn about
his brother the more unlikely does this course of action seem. However,
Robert will not leave the subject alone with the result that revelations of
infidelity, adultery, homosexuality and drugs – not to mention suicide
(illegal in those days) or was it murder? – follow.
At
the start of the play before she leaves the assembled group the very upright Miss
Mockridge (Frances Dixon) comments that they are a very cosy little group,
little knowing what was to be revealed once she had left! Her illusions
about this seemingly very ordinary group of people remained intact. For
her, Olwen’s dog sleeps, for the others it is very wide awake. Life hinges on
‘What if …?’ and at the end of the play we go back to the beginning and the
sound of the gunshot. One tiny incident is different which sets off an
entirely different train of events, leading to the conclusion that ‘telling
the truth is about as healthy as skidding round a corner at sixty’ – the
‘Dangerous Corner’.
The
story held us tightly until the end, and it was executed by a very strong
cast: Sue Jackson, Frances The next performance of the Somborne Players to look out for and
enjoy is the panto: ‘Dick Whittington and his Cat’ on Friday 20th and
Saturday 21st February – the date is certainly in my diary, and I urge
everyone to do likewise! Review written for the Gauntlet by Margaret Burgess
DANGEROUS CORNER A Play in Three Acts by J.B. Priestley Act I The Drawing-room of the Caplans’ house at Chantbury Close. After dinner. Time - 1932 Act II The same Act III The same Between each act there will be an
interval of 15 minutes when drinks will be available from the bar. The raffle
will be drawn during the second interval. CAST
CREW
THANKS TO
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