WEBLINKS
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 |  | Review by site-user, Georgiana Ndlovu
The classic thriller Wait until Dark moved along chillingly at The Loft Theatre, Leamington, with the gradual unfolding of four conspicuous killings.
The play's title is fitting with the key characters holding relationships with darkness. Kate Brough's Gloria wore glasses, while Angie Collins Susy was blind.
These are just two of the ways in which writer Frederick Knott played with the theme of darkness creating tension, intrigue and fear from the opening scene and throughout.
 [Angie Collins]... performance was truly triumphant with her depiction of the blind leading lady 'Susy' perfectly timed- executing a genuine reality to the whole play.
 | 听 | Reviewer, Georgiana Ndlovu
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The production at the well-loved Loft Theatre, in Leamington, was met with a standing ovation in recognition of the excellent debut performances.
The play's slow brewing action warmed up nicely to a climatic pause at interval time with the line: "The police are outside...and they're watching this house."
I especially enjoyed the fabulously convincing role of Gloria, played by award-winning 14 year-old actress Kate Brough. This was her first performance on The Lofts main stage and it met with praise by all.
Similarly appealing was Angie Collins, who has been involved in many Loft productions and remains a spectacular actress, capable of portraying admirable realism.
| 听 |  | Actors on stage in Wait Until Dark
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Regulars at The Loft may have been lucky enough to catch her in plays like Calling the Tune and Guys and Dolls. I felt her performance was truly triumphant, with her depiction of the blind leading-lady Susy perfectly timed. It gave a genuine reality to the whole play.
Similarly top performances were given by David Hankins, playing the devious Roat, and Mike Crawshaw's villain Croker which was measured and calculating.
This added to the tension which finally exploded in the final scene and represented the dark personalities of the three intruders
The play was directed by Wendy Anderson, who maintained that Wait Until Dark is not the usual whodunnit style thriller audiences have come to expect.
She said, instead the mystery is increased by the evident absence of a detective, motive or even clue: "Audiences witness the devious plottings of a crime by ruthless drug dealers who will stop at nothing to get what they want. The audience acts as judge and jury".
In the programme, the director warned: "Loft audiences are given an evening of chilling suspense before they set off back to their safe cosy homes", and she was right. I thoroughly enjoyed the tense feeling created in this tightly scripted, and often harrowing, tale of ordinary life turned horrifically upside-down by the devious acts of three malicious villains.
If a thought-provoking and suspense-filled evening is what you desire before you embrace those reassuring home comforts then reserve your tickets now. This play is not to be missed.
I also enjoyed the Loft Theatre. I thought the tickets and drinks were reasonably priced and there was a genuinely warm and friendly atmosphere.
Award-winning play
The play, which opened on 2 February 1966 at The Barrymore Theatre in New York and has been shown across the UK ever since. This play dosen't disappoint fans of Knott or the thriller genre with its consistent thrills from start to finish.
It was adapted in 1998 for the Hollywood stage with Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino. The film's director has been nominated for many prestigious awards including a Tony nomination award and has twice won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for his well respected plays Write Me a Murder and Dial M.
Production details
Wait Until Dark is on at The Loft in Leamington until Saturday, 25 January at 7.45pm.
Follow the link on the left for venue information and for The Loft's website.
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