Season 51 Play 7 – Double Cut by Alfred Shaughnessy

Double Cut
24th – 29th May 1999

Directed by

Richard Thompson & Lorna Noble

Cast

Charles Brinton – George Pickles
Olivia Prescott – Laura Judge
Ward – David Poole
Vargas – Antony Howley
Carlos – Paul Dargan
Elaine Whitman – Alison Main
Maria – Jo Bailey
Guardia – lan Robinson

Synopsis

Olivia and her brother Ward meet in the luxurious Spanish Villa inherited from their father. They quarrel about Ward’s entitlement to a part of the inheritance, and the quarrels escalate into a terrifying psychological game. The plot twists and turns as the victim struggles to find a way through the clutches of the nightmare which is slowly but inexorably tightening its hold. As the tension climbs to a peak the double cut is delivered – thrust, parry and coup de grace – leaving one of them disarmed and destroyed.

Directors Notes

The reality of directing in main house hit home when we had to try to find an advisor on the correct pronunciation of Spanish phrases to be spoken by a South – African in Spain. Manuel’s “Meester Faulty” was kicked into touch early on!

Thanks Juan for your help-oops-gracias Juan.

Lorna and I have enjoyed our foray into something different and are very grateful to the cast who have worked so hard. We would also pay tribute to the backstage team singling out Wheater Smith for what we can only describe as a ‘gem’ of a set-pun intended-this is his 6th (Diamond) set. Enough, time for you to sit back and take in the scenes as they unfold and to work out for yourselves what happened.