CURTAIN CALL REVIEW: DALIAN PLAYERS

THE DEATH OF ME

AN EVENING OF TWO SHORT PLAYS

WOOLSTON METHODIST HALL

DRAWING on influences from such works as"The Others", "Blithe Spirit" and "It's A Wonderful Life"", two plays explored the influence of the ghostly departed on those left behind before their journey onwards. First night nerves reduced pace with some reliance on the prompt for "There's Always Spring", Heather Dennis and Alex Franks doing well to engage and retain character interest. Stride had been reached however by the start of the second play "Family Spirit", with Michael Tosdevin giving a commanding performance as Arthur whose number was up, when his numbers literally came up via a premium bond win. Deception, in the form of scheming duo Sandra and Andy Franks, was outwitted by Alex Franks as a "Clarence -like" computer tablet wielding Guardian Angel and Debbie Carter who gave an affecting performance as Arthur's daughter, adding poignancy and depth to a play that proved absorbing and intriguing.

David Putley