Reviewed by Louise Watts
Ruth Rendell is famously remembered for her amazing ability to write captivating crime stories. What could be better than seeing one of her incredible stories brought to life in the theatre?
Gallowglass was written by Ruth under her pen name “Barbara Vine” in 1990 and is being presented on stage for the first time by Middle Ground Theatre Company Ltd.
The story starts when a young man by the name of Sandor (Joe Eyre) saves another young lad Joe (Dean Smith) from jumping in front of a train. He then takes him home and takes him under his wing… but what are his intentions?
It soon becomes apparent that Sandor is a very complicated character and as payment for saving Joe, he believes Joe is now his. Joe has led a difficult life so far being fostered and suffering from mental illness. Sandor uses this to his advantage to plot a kidnapping. He gets Joe to do all his legwork and eventually drags Joe’s “sister” Tilly (Rachael Hart) in too, but she wants payment from Sandor for this in other ways! Joe played Sandor perfectly. He was quite endearing but also a little dark and unpredictable which kept the audience wondering what he might do next and what he was actually capable of, maybe this is what attracted Tilly to him?
Running alongside this developing plot is a rather posh estate where the lady of the house is married to an older man, Ralph (Richard Walsh, best known for his long-standing role as Sicknote in London’s Burning). A driver is soon employed to look out for her and in comes Paul (Paul Opacic, best known for his role in Emmerdale as Steve Marchant) and his daughter Jessica (Eva Sayer). The lady, Nina Abbott (Florence Cady) has a history of being kidnapped previously and is terrified that it will happen again. Will Paul do a good job and look out for her or will she succumb to another kidnap plot? Can they work this closely together without an inevitable love story emerging and what will be the cost of this? Paul Opacic is simply gorgeous, and I can see exactly what Nina would have been attracted to. But where relationships like this develop in a close-knit workplace, disaster always evolves.
There are various other small roles played too including Sandor’s mother, who is clearly a little deranged. She is played by Karen Drury, best known for her role as Susannah Farnham in Brookside. She was cast brilliantly for this role as Sandor’s mother and played it superbly. I have to say she did not look like she had aged one bit since leaving Brookie!
Along with Paul and Jessica at the house, there is another worker called Colombo who lives there with his wife and helps out the man of the house Ralph. I couldn’t quite work out what his purpose in the story was for a while but it all becomes clear in the end.
Merge the family in the estate with Sandor and Joe and you have an explosive kidnapping plot, but where will it lead, what is it all about?? You will have to watch the show to find out as I am certainly not prepared to ruin that for you now.
The set was very clever and there were many set changes. At times I wondered if there would be a way to have fewer changes, but it worked well. Costumes were great and very apt for the 1990’s era. Several scenes such as the train station were very cleverly done and with a little imagination, you could see exactly what they wanted you to.
A good crime thriller is never good enough without a twist at the end. Just as you think you have it all sorted in your own mind, something happens to completely change that and have you guessing all over again. This was certainly the case in Gallowglass.
The Orchard Theatre was lovely as ever and it was lovely to see it so busy. The audience was full of various age ranges and everyone seemed to be buzzing at the end which is always the sign of a good show. Parking is easy and has a cheap flat rate for the evenings.
There are 2 bars where you can get drinks and snacks and a coffee shop if you fancy a hot drink. The staff are always polite and helpful, and the venue is an absolute delight generally.
I would recommend this show to anyone who likes a good crime thriller. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £20.50 to £32.50 (booking fees may apply).
Gallowglass is at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford from 6-10 March 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01322 220000.
The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED | 01322 220000
