Ben Colley’s I’LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT is yet another fun and highly entertaining production from Castle Hill Players. Director Ben Freeman brings all aspects of the show together to achieve a type of murder mystery with all the right elements of fright, humour, twists & turns and it’s only resolved in the very last minutes.
The plot takes a while to warm up to as the scene is set, and we start to understand, or think we understand, the characters’ traits and motivations – as in any good suspense thriller, all is definitely not as it seems.Greg, an archaeologist, has rented an old farmhouse in the country where Jan can recuperate from her illness. The neighbouring farmer George, from whom they rent the house, then arrives to welcome them and proceeds to tell ghost stories about a murder that occurred in the farmhouse and Jan starts to become very nervous. The situation is made worse when Greg tells Jan that his sister Laura, who she does not get on with, is about to arrive for a visit. It’s not too long before Jan is hearing strange sounds and apparitions. Is she sinking back into delusions and mental illness or is someone out to get her? The tension mounts and actions with dire consequences occur.
The four actors are equally excellent in their changing roles. Jessie Peake as Jan Sanderson, a woman recovering from a nervous breakdown, has just the right amount of fragility and uncertainty in herself, yet comes to show strength when most needed.
Mitch Doran as her husband, Greg Sanderson, appears to be a rather clueless, vacillating person who can be manipulated by others, yet he too develops his character as we see in the second act of the play.
Jonathon Burt plays the jovial George Willowby, the apparently helpful neighbour who is always there at just the right time.
Meredith Blee as Greg’s sister Laura Sanderson, portrays the rather arrogant and spiteful sister-in-law with lots of fake concern for Jan.
Without the perfect timing of the sound effects, George Cartledge, and lighting effects, Sean Churchward, the play would lose much of its brooding atmosphere and impact. This is heightened by the detailed set, Stephen Snars and Chris Lundie, of the interior of the farmhouse and the characters’ costumes, Annette Snars which help highlight their characters.
The show was very much enjoyed by the audience on opening night as demonstrated by the alternating gasps of fright and laughter.
For a very satisfying night of theatre get to the Pavilion Theatre, Castle Hill Showground by 11th October 2025.
Production photography by Chris Lundie
