{"id":245,"date":"2015-01-24T17:08:19","date_gmt":"2015-01-24T17:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cpwp.comptonplayers.co.uk\/?page_id=245"},"modified":"2015-02-19T09:07:47","modified_gmt":"2015-02-19T09:07:47","slug":"trap-for-a-lonely-man","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.comptonplayers.co.uk\/comptonplayers-c\/?page_id=245","title":{"rendered":"Trap for a Lonely Man"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Robert Thomas<\/span><\/p>\n

23rd – 25th April 1998<\/h2>\n

Daniel Corban is distraught to have to report his wife missing to the police. However when a young priest arrives and says he has found Madame Corban alive and well and brings in the woman, Daniel insists that it is not his wife. Several people arrive and support the priest’s story until Daniel feels he is losing his grip on reality.<\/p>\n

\"trap<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

The Cast<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Man: Scott Hulme
\nThe Police Inspector: Ian Hickling
\nThe Priest: Dave Hawkins
\nThe Woman: Tracey Brett
\nThe Tramp: Mike Long\/Eric Saxton (Saturday)
\nThe Nurse: Eileen McCarthy
\nPolicemen: Ben Langley \/ Robin Hawkins<\/p>\n

Produced by Eric Saxton<\/p><\/div>\n

Newbury Weekly News review<\/h3>\n
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Twists and turns made for good entertainment<\/h2>\n

Trap for a Lonely Man<\/strong> stands in the repertory tradition: a thriller shrouded in mystery, a tortuous plot and a dam good twist at the end. While admitting that I found the script heavy going, the Compton Players, as always, provided good entertainment which appeared to keep the audience in appreciative concentration.<\/p>\n

Set in the 1960\u2019s the action takes place in a chalet in the mountains in Chamonix where a man, distraught at the disappearance of his wife, is faced with another woman who claims to be his wife but he insists she is an imposter. Throw in a dodgy priest, the obligatory police inspector and a tramp no less, and you have the recipe for a thriller.<\/p>\n

In the leading role, Scott Hulme gave a solid and well-rehearsed performance although perhaps his inexperience prevented him from fully realising the complexities and range of emotions of his character. As the wife (or imposter), Tracey Brett gave an understated but skilful and effective portrayal which left us wondering what was really going on behind her character. Ian Hickling as the police inspector brought another low key but quite charismatic feel to his role and Dave Hawkins as the priest was completely convincing both in his virtuous mode and in the vicious side to his character.<\/p>\n

On Saturday night, producer Eric Saxton played the part of the tramp (Mike Long played the part on other nights). This small role was superbly played and he injected much humour and class into the proceedings. To cap it all, Eileen McCarthy turned up as the \u201cbent\u201d nurse. Again, another effective cameo role. As is so often the case with thrillers, it takes a while to establish the plot and there were a few sticky moments with the script; however, the twists and turns kept he audience guessing right to the end and provided good entertainment value.<\/p>\n

TREVOR DOBSON<\/p>\n<\/div>\n