A Touch of Danger by Francis Durbridge, Manor Pavilion Theatre – Sidmouth, until 28 June, 3☆☆☆. Review: Cormac Richards

Photo Credit: Andrew Beckett.

A Touch of Danger by Francis Durbridge, Manor Pavilion Theatre – Sidmouth, until 28 June,

3☆☆☆. Review: Cormac Richards

“Perfect escapism.”

The opening of another summer play repertory season at the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth is very much something to celebrate. This is the 67th year of this great event since starting regularly in 1958, with only 2020 missing out on the annual festival of plays. The rollercoaster of 12 plays in 12 weeks (with a break for the Folk Festival at the start of August) begins with ‘A Touch of Danger’ by Francis Durbridge which plays until 28 June.

A long-time favourite of Sidmouth audiences, all of Durbridge’s plays  have been performed in the Summer Season over the years, but the demand for them remains. Last seen in 2014, ‘A Touch of Danger’ tells the story of novelist, Max Telligan, who returns home from a trip abroad to find his death has been announced in the newspapers. Intrigue follows twist follows turn as an array of characters enter the story, but rarely is anyone quite what they seen in the world of the stage thriller. As the body count rises, will Max find out the truth?

Most notable for his radio and tv thrillers, Durbridge didn’t write well for the stage with rather clunky dialogue, preposterous plots and often so many characters, it becomes difficult to work out who is who? That all being said, there is, maybe, a certain charm about the plays; that’s not to be condescending, the writer had a brilliant mind for constructing a story, but they are very much entrenched in their time.

Now, reviewer beware, writing about the plot and the performances is like a minefield; giving away any of the suprises in the story is not the done thing. Suffice to say, what makes a play like this work today is the guidance of a director like Jason Moore who encourages the experienced actors to attack the script with conviction and that is exactly what happens. At the centre of the story, Dafydd Gwyn Howells plays the man at the centre of the storm with conviction as does Emily Outred as his estranged wife while Rachel Fletcher-Hudson is the epitomy of a loyal secretary. In smaller roles, Gwithian Evans is wonderfully gung-ho as a philandering golfer and Owen Landon is edgy as a mysterious American. Is there more to the officialdom of Thomas Willshire and James Pellow? And what about Bridget Lambert as the hapless Connie Palmer? It is a top-notch cast who throw themselves into the production.

As the plot unravels on Andrew Beckett’s fine set, there is an almost audible sound of the brains of the audience ticking over as they try to work out who has done what! Jason Moore’s production is punctuated with smart music, sounds and the careful placement of underscoring which pushes the audience nearer the edge of their seats.

‘A Touch of Danger’ is the ideal opening to the season, with more humour than many Durbridge plays, it may not be the greatest play ever, but it is perfect escapism and the audience laps it up.

Next in the Summer Play Festival is something completely different; the farce, ‘Don’t Dress For Dinner’ by Marc Camoletti – performing 30 June – 5 July. Box Office – manorpavilion.com or 01395 514413

Cast

Liz Ferber – Rachel Fletcher-Hudson

Harriet Telligan – Emily Outred

Jeff Seago – Gwithian Evans

Max Telligan – Dafydd Gwyn Howells

Vincent Crane – Thomas Willshire

Lloyd Mitchell – Owen Landon

Graham Digby – James Pellow

Connie Palmer – Bridget Lambert

Creatives

Writer – Francis Durbridge

Director – Jason Moore

Set Design – Andrew Beckett

Costume Designer – Jan Huckle

Lighting Design – Chris Jackson, Will Tippet, Hannah Rowley, Pete Wilmott

Sound Design – James Prendergast

Set Builder – Rhys Cannon

Stage Manager - James Prendergast

Set Assistant – Dominic McChesney

Artistic Director – Paul Taylor-Mills