THE audience was held in thrall by this performance.

The action centres around an incident in the Second World War for which, it seems, an innocent man has been imprisoned. Small town America, where the play takes place, magnifies each of the characters’ reactions as the plot unfolds.

At the centre is Joe (David Balfour) who justifies his actions as being for his family’s business and, hence, livelihood.

His wife, Kate (Sarah Short – with an imposing performance) is in denial about the presumed death of one of her sons in the war.

The remaining son Chris (Vic Milne) wants to marry Ann (Emma Buck) his brother’s ex-girlfriend. A visit from Ann’s brother and son of the falsely imprisoned person, George (Shawn Condra), eventually leads to the harrowing end of the play.

All the actors (Phil Rainforth, Hannah Marks, Bill Walsh, Gemma Wilks, Caleb Brading-Ingram) each convincingly added the necessary plot details that heightened the tension.

Director Edwin Beecroft, lighting staff (Andy and Deirdre Bennett) and set designers deserve congratulations.