Black Widow was performed at Thrapston Plaza from on the 13th,15th and 16th April 2011.
Synopsis
Lord Arlington is dead, poisoned by a corned beef sandwich. His daughter Emily, obsessed by Hamlet, becomes convinced that her mother Cressida and old family friend Richard Harker are responsible for Lord Arlington’s death, and she sets out to exact a terrible revenge. Madness, murder, passion, ghosts and retribution are all themes of this complex and compelling drama, set in the Edwardian era but with a very modern sensibility.
Director: Mr John Lillyman
Cast
| Lady Cressida Arlington | Mrs Hazel Wright |
| Lady Isobel Arlington | Mrs Prudence Goss |
| The Hon Emily Arlington | Mrs Hayley Ansell |
| Mr Richard Harker | Mr James Ager |
| Chief Inspector Datchet | Mr Grahame Nightingale |
| Dr Shawcross | Mr Martin Picken |
| Inspector Eaton | Mr Martin Picken |
| Mabel (cousin to the Arlingtons) | Mrs Miranda Case |
| Dorothy (cousin to the Arlingtons) | Mrs Carrie Smart |
| Mrs Hodge | Mrs Patricia Garton |
| The Rector | Mr Frank Jenkins |
| Sergeant Charlton | Mr Frank Jenkins |
Reviews
A review of the show by Sylvia Brown in The Hargrave Herald:
“It is said that everything comes to those who wait, so it was with happy anticipation that I arrived at the Thrapston Plaza for TADS spring production. It was a somewhat macabre piece, opening with the funeral of Lord Arlington, who it seemed was a not a very pleasant character during his lifetime. His daughter, Emily, had loved him and was convinced that he had been murdered. Obsessed by the story of Hamlet, she swears to avenge his death. This could easily have degenrated into melodrama but was skillfully played by Hayley Ansell with just the right mixture of misery and madness. The lighting and effects added to the atmosphere of a doomed family. Perhaps the voices from beyond the grave were slightly overdone, drowning the speakers at times. Every member of the cast gave a true characterisation in what was, I considered, a difficult play but worthy of the 60th anniversary as a member of TADS of Prudence Goss. Here she gave a master class of clarity of diction with every word having a meaning, in the role of the dowager Lady Isobel, this was with each word another drop of venom – brilliant!
The next production of the talented group is in November. I hope to have advance notice of booking to pass on as seating is limited 100, so you have to book early to avoid disappointment. By the way TADS stands for Thrapston Amateur Dramatic Society, in case you hadn’t already worked it out.”
TADS Elsewhere