Night Watch May 2007
Night Watch
By Lucille Fletcher, May 2007
This gripping thriller begins when troubled heiress Elaine Wheeler tells her husband and the police that she has seen a dead man in the building across the way. The police are sceptical. Is Elaine imagining things, or is there a murdered man? As the plot thickens and Elaine’s agitation increases. Can she prove she is not crazy? The suspense builds throughout the play and holds the audience until the chilling climax.
Cast (in order of appearance)
Elaine Wheeler - Rosemary Powell
John Wheeler - David McManus
Helga - Julie Lee
Vanelli - Allan Witter
Curtis Appleby - Phil Ratcliffe
Blanche Cooke - Penny Kirby
Lieutenant Walker - Mark Taylor
Dr. Tracey Lake - Kerry Chapman
Sam Hoke - Ken Proctor
The production team
Director - Mark Taylor
Set Design & Construction - Ann & Allan Witter, Alun Lewis, Millie Beck
Stage Manager - Allan Witter
Continuity - Chris Burke
Props - Ken Proctor
Lighting - Ian Wright
Sound - Ian Wright & Phil Cooper
Publicity - David McManus & Group Members
Poster Design - Penny Kirby
Programme - Ian Wright
House Management - Group members
View the production photographs >>
Read the review >>
Culcheth Players’ production of Nightwatch proved an emotionally charged and highly entertaining evening at the theatre.
The decision to produce this Lucille Fletcher play seems a slightly curious one. You are unlikely to find Nightwatch listed high up in the theatrical cannon. Rarely performed professionally since its Broadway premier in 1971, it’s an unmemorable melodrama with a less-than-convincing twist in its tail; the stuff of 1970s American television these days served up as easily digestible weekday afternoon televisual cheese. Indeed it is a tribute to the company that they were able to attract large audiences for four consecutive nights and hold their attention for this flawed and largely unknown play.
Credit must go to Mark Taylor’s hands-off approach to direction, for the company were able to overcome the weaknesses of the text and produce a powerful theatrical experience. Whilst all performances were strong, particular praise must go to Rosemary Powell’s virtuoso performance in the highly demanding role of Elaine Wheeler – a performance of poise and power that a professional actor would struggle to match. She was well supported by David McManus in the role of her husband, John Wheeler – particularly in the finale when the product rose to emotional intensity rarely seen on the amateur stage.
Mike Mallett
