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Review by Hugh Munro
AS A child I was told: "If you can't say something nice,
don't say anything."
An admonition which weighs heavy when one is faced with reviewing
a play such as Brian Clemens' The Edge of Darkness, now
playing at the Richmond Theatre.
Presumably, someone saw some merit in producing this fustian
Victorian set and Victorian style melodrama, or they would not
have inflicted it on the unsuspecting public.
The plot, which does not bear re-telling, is one of those 'is
she or isn't she, did she or didn't she' type with the focus on
Clare McGlinn, as Emma, the knife-obsessed daughter of Liza Goddard
and Tony Scannell, known here as Mr and Mrs Cranwell, in whose
house the action takes place.
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Janet Walker plays Penny, the maid, and Chris Donelly, a sinister
manservant, Hardy, who is not what he seems.
They are joined by John Westwood, as a policeman, and Jerry
Lindop, as Livago, another suspicious character.
All that was needed was one of Mr Pollock's tuppence coloured
sets and this was provided by Newpalm productions.
The actors did their best to breathe life into their characters
and are not to blame for failing to bring any sense of reality
to the tortuous plot.
Although I must admit my companion enjoyed it a lot, I do not
feel I can comment further.
The Edge of Darkness by Brian Clemens, Directed by. Howard
Ross, Scenery by Newpalm Productions, Costumes by Midland Costumes
Lighting by Mark Alexander. WITH: Liza Goddard, Clare McGlinn,
Tony Scannell, Janet Walker, Chris Donelly, Jerry Lindop, John
Westwood. Produced by Charles Vance at Richmond Theatre, The Little
Green, Richmond, Surrey. Tickets 020 8940 0088.
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