Lord Arthur Savile's Crime


The Evening Telegraph - September 2002

IMPRESSIVE PERIOD PRODUCTION
Review by Jan Souter

Dundee Dramatic Society launched their 79h season in style at the weekend with a lavish period production, writes Jan Souter.

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, based on a short story by Oscar Wilde, adapted by Constance Cox, is an improbable comedy set in the drawing room of Lord Arthur's London home on the 1890's.

Lord Arthur is a happy man. He is just about to be married to his beloved Sybil (charmingly played by Tricia Stewart) and all is right with the world. That is... until the mysterious Mr Podgers (Kenneth Donaldson) arrives.

What can this seemingly innocent man know that will change Lord Arthur's life and lead him onto the path of crime?

All is revealed - but not until the very last act!

It is obvious that the whole company has put a great deal of effort into this ambitious production which, under direction of the experienced Dougie Cunningham, simply can't fail.

Totally convincing

Characterisation throughout is good, with comparitive newcomer Jonathan Gall "lording" it over his fellow thespians as Arthur.

Sandy Smith is totally convincing as his faithful butler Bairnes, while Ian Stephen has a positively explosive role as German anarchist Herr Winkchopf.

The "ladies", too, ably aquit themselves. The shameless Lady Celmentina Beauchamp (Helen Davie) is the antithesis of the prudent Lady Windermere (Dorothy Devine) and Lady Julia Merton (Elma Longair), the battle-axe mother-in-law to be.

Particular care has been taken also over the authenticity of their stunning gowns, created by wardrobe team Joyce Lindsay, Zena Chan and Alma Donald. The setting, too, is impressive.

Completing the cast are Harry Devine, who plays the absent-minded dean, and Dorothy Culloch, fairly new to the ranks, is Nellie the maid.

The plays runs nightly at 7.30 until Saturday which there is also a matinee at 2.30.

© D C Thomson & Co., Ltd 2002

Want to see the scanned review?



Return to shows