Middle class, hard working young woman Cecily Harrington is both beautiful and naive. She has been engaged to Nigel Lawrence for five years and hasn’t seen him for three years as he is in the military. Her feelings towards him have become ambivalent.
Cecily’s circumstances change when she wins a large amount of money in a lottery. She calls the wedding off, decides to rent out her flat and wants to do some traveling.
She is in her flat busily talking to her good friend Mavis Wilson when in through the door comes the urbane, smooth talking American Bruce Lovell. He likes the flat and agrees to take it. They discuss traveling and Bruce says that he is keen to travel too. Is he the stranger of the title?! Is Bruce the good man that Cecily hopes he is, or is it just a veneer?
This is the scenario to Frank Vosper’s 1936 play LOVE FROM A STRANGER a stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1924 short story called ‘Philomel Cottage’.
Walking up to enter the theatre I noticed the Full House stand just outside the theatre. It is well known that Christie stories do well at the Genesian Theatre, still to see this sign on opening night must have been thrilling for one of Sydney’s most dedicated and enthusiastic theatre companies.
The audience played a big part in Tui Clark’s production. Right from the start one could feel the audience’s involvement as it squirmed and sighed watching Bruce lay on the charm to Cecily. This uneasy involvement remained the case right up until the resolution of the cliff-hanging final scene.
Emilia Kriketos gives a well measured performance as Cecily whose naivety gets her into all sorts of trouble.
Sam Walter is suitably sinister and unhinged as Bruce Lovell.
Charlotte Launay impressed more in the role of concerned Dr Gribble than the well intentioned but not always diplomatic Aunty Lou.
Kimberlea Smith is a light presence a Cecily’s loyal, patient friend, Mavis.
Matt Doherty plays Nigel, Cecily’s discarded, but still good natured partner, who is concerned for her welfare.
Claire Ji Eun Yi plays the amiable Ethel.
In his fifteenth role for the Genesian’s ,Rod Stewart plays loyal servant, Hodgson.
Clark’s creative team comprised a group of veteran designers creating the right environment for he actors to work in; Tom Bannerman’s compact set design, Susan Carveth’s apt period costumes, Michael Schell’s meticulous lighting, and Merhan Mortezaei’s sound design.
Agatha Christie’s LOVE FROM A STRANGER, adapted for the stage by Frank Vosper, is playing the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, City until the 18th February 2023. Performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 4.30pm. Adults $35. Concessions $30. Groups $30.
http://www.genesiantheatre.com.au
Featured image : Sam Walter as the stranger Bruce in ‘Love From a Stranger’ currently playing at the Genesian Theatre. Production photography by Craig O’Regan