Elaine Feagler (left), Dennis Runkle and Jenifer Warren act out a scene from “Nightmare,” which runs through Oct. 7. (Photo courtesy of Clague Playhouse)

Clague’s ‘Nightmare’ is Agatha Christie’s Twisted Sister
By Art Thomas
Insights
Published Sept. 26, 2007

Clague Playhouse is currently presenting “Nightmare,” a semi-contemporary mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie. Well, there’s no police inspector conducting lengthy interviews, but the play is British and very talky.

Marion Bishop is growing weaker by the day in her isolated house in rural England. Is her food being tampered with? Is her physician perhaps named in the will? Why has her obnoxious nephew suddenly come to visit?

The relationships are complex. Eventually, what is probably a murder occurs. The circle of clues and suspicions grows larger with each passing scene, and eventually there are surprises…some left for the final 90 seconds of the play.

Writer Marion Bishop, as played by Zoe Harper, is distracted. She can’t concentrate on her writing for any number of reasons. Harper’s skill is at work in this role, which becomes more layered as the play progresses.

Elaine Feagler is the apparently helpful new caretaker, Katherine Willis. Her slow-witted brother, Michael, may or may not be a key player in the mysterious phone calls that seem to come at all hours to the Bishop home. Eric Fancher takes this role.

Neil Donnelly as the greedy nephew Raymond Shapley, Dennis Runkle as Dr. Thorne, and Jenifer Warren as helpful Laura Vinnecombe complete the cast.

The Clague production is aptly directed by Ron Newell, who also designed the imaginative set.  It’s cluttered with the intriguing types of things you would find in an elderly writer’s home. The cast work well individually and as an ensemble. Lance Switzer’s lighting design is good, and Kimberly Castle’s costumes effectively place the play in the 1980s.

“Nightmare” is the type of play that Clague does so well with; the small cast and intricate plot are well suited to the space and audience. “Nightmare” could do with a lot of trimming; audiences would be much happier with 30 minutes cut from the overly-wordy script.

On opening night, engaged audience members at intermission exchanged theories about what the reality was and who was fooling who in the story. They returned to an excruciatingly long second act — probably acts II and III combined.

“Nightmare” is a play with deceit and intrigue. There’s extreme violence, but it’s not shown on stage. In short, the play is suitable for everyone. “Nightmare” runs through October 7.

On the Net:

• Clague Playhouse