Thurrock Courts Players
Present
Inspector Drake’s last case
Review by Joy Ridgewell
The opening of the play is a setting of a drawing room in a large house this was impressive. The wood panels on the walls, the portraits and grandfather clock and even a brass plate were very much in keeping and the bright t yellow Sofa with its green cushions gave a warm and comfortable feel. A large brass warming pan hanging from the ceiling really completed the whole thing.
Of the ten characters I think they all played a great part in the story.
Kevin Watts opened the play as Sergeant Plod he reminded me of Dixon of Dock Green as he rocked on his hells and said “Evening All” introduced the story of a murder. Then the play began
The lights went out and in the darkness a figure moved into the scene with a torch, this was Mrs Gargarin played by Pauline Crowhurst shots rang out. This was not so good and she didn’t put up much of a fight.
The costumes were good John Scowen a polished actor who played Mr Gargarin had a marvellous limp a lovely green coat that he didn’t quite fit in and a little round pillbox hat.
Miss Duck played by Victoria Grayling was a great temptation in her skimpy 1920’s dress carrying a long cigarette holder and displaying great legs. I’m not sure if in the ’20 ladies had a tattoo on their ankles.
Vic Grey, Mr Guest the butler was very deaf and used an ear trumpet with his long grey hair and the hump on his back he looked the old retainer.
Dave Blackwell as Mr Cook the gardener in his red splattered shirt and further on in the play in his vest with the strategic holes made you wonder if he’d done it.
Jenny Lee as Mrs Gardener the cook who was having an affair with Mr Cook the gardener was a petite lady; I liked her costume and her white mop cap.
Jim Wilkinson who as Mr Butler the guest of the evening in his mismatched shoes that had everyone wondering why?
Then came the tall over efficient Inspector Drake who walked in and promptly hit his head on the warming pan hanging from the ceiling and rolled all over the floor. He couldn’t get the names right and it became a game of wits to follow his vocabulary.
As the plot went on with the guest Mr Butler giving a good performance trying to explain what he knew about the murder while the maid played by Monika Zieba was drowning out his words with the Hoover.
The play was best in the second half and the quick exchange of names was very slick the cast had a lot to remember and did an excellent job. All the way through the bumbling Sergeant Plod kept up an amusing show of being a help to his Inspector. At one point he also enjoyed eating a banana, in the end everyone had a gun and had a hand in trying to murder for their own reasons.
Miss Duck gave an outstanding recital giving all the confusing double names in her closing speech her attempt to seduce the Inspector earlier was farce at its best, well done to everyone.
This play had echos of the Pink Panther and a Peter Sellers film .
Many people say there is nothing to do in Grays what a pity they don’t support the excellent performances in the Thameside Theatre this is value for money, look out for the next show.
