BATS review

I wasn't looking forward to the BATS production of Agatha Christie's, 'Verdict'. There, I said it.

No reflection on the BATS themselves, more I just don't like Christie's work. I think my problem might be with Miss Marple. In my opinion doilies, afternoon tea and an amateur detective who reminds me of my nan do not a satisfying murder mystery make.

Thankfully, said nosey octogenarian (Miss Marple, not my nan) has nothing to do with Verdict. In a twist from the usual thriller formula, we know who the killer is and have to wait and see if the police and then a jury reach the right conclusion.

What really made the play much more enjoyable than I was expecting though, were the fantastic performances.

Amateur dramatics has a bad name in some circles, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't seen some shockers in the past, but the cast in Verdict were truly excellent.

Lawry Rhodes performance in the lead as Professor Karl Hendryk was nothing short of remarkable. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lawry took on the role just three weeks ago and the progress he has made spoke volumes for his talent.

His showing as the moralistic academic torn between the love of two women, was perhaps the stand out. A brief check of the script in the final act was forgivable in what was, until then, a high-class display.

Strong-support came in the shape of Paul Le Sueur, who barely put a foot wrong and gave a reassuring presence as the kindly Doctor Stoner.

Clare Sayers elicited plenty of sympathy as the terminally-ill Anya Hendryk, but gave her role a darker edge too. Nikki Braybrooke excelled too as Lisa, a women torn between family loyalty and the feelings she harbours for her cousin's husband.

Hannah Turnbull gave a mature display as the vampish and spoiled Helen Rollander. Eric Stevens will no doubt be delighted to hear the audience loved to hate his creation of the odious Sir William Rollander.

Jenny Taylor convinced as the morbid Mrs Roper and John Brown struck the right note of naivety as student Lester Cole.

Even the small supporting roles, with David Ormrod and Chas Stewart as Detective Inspector Ogden and Sergeant Pearce, were top-drawer.

Continuing with my honest approach, I can't claim to be a great fan of the play. It takes too long to get to the murder itself, and there is too little pay-off once there. However, that's my criticism of the playwright rather than the BATS.

nd a set of such good performances makes anything watchable.

Director Trish Daly deserves praise for the display and the public will demand similar high-standards for the next BATS production.