I am a fan of detective stories and thrillers, and have always loved Alfred Hitchcock films. Strangers on a Train was written by Patricia Highsmith, (published in 1950) and I have seen the film adaptation from 1951 on many occasions. The stage play is apparently much truer to the original book. To my shame I have never read the book, so this will be a good one to take on holiday with me this year.
We have known the Weeks family for many years now, and have performed with Graham, Jenny, Christopher and Eddie on many occasions in open-air Shakespeare productions. Debbie Keenan, Christopher’s aunt, has also performed with us. You could say that we have performed with a whole month of Weeks’! Indeed in the 2014 production of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ which Paul Seddon directed, Christopher played Gratiano, and I spent most of the performance serving canapes and drinks, and trying to move a rope across the stage without tripping over any of the actors.
When we heard that Christopher was to make his debut professional appearance as Guy Haines in Strangers on a Train, we just had to book tickets for this exciting occasion. Frinton-on-Sea is a long drive from Maidenhead, but not unachievable without staying over-night in a hotel. We arrived at Frinton Summer Theatre just in time to have a first course at Avenue Bistro just a few minutes walk away: http://avenuebistro.co.uk/ I’d highly recommend this for a really good dinner. We had a sharing starter of mixed meats and olives, and I am just sorry that we did not have time for a full meal.
The theatre at Frinton is small and has a real buzz. Do go there if you get the chance: http://www.frintonsummertheatre.org/ and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. This was the 78th season at the McGrigor Hall, which is the UK’s oldest repertory theatre. I was sorely tempted too by the next production of ‘The Odd Couple’.
Strangers on a Train is a really gripping thriller, which is enjoyable even if you are more familiar with the film. I actually enjoyed spotting the differences. You could feel the agony of Guy Haines, especially after he committed his murder! In the film of course, he does not carry out the murder. I make no apology for spoilers here, as the film is so well known. Inevitably the play has a smaller cast, and the characters of Miriam, the hated wife, and the father of Charles Bruno, do not appear. Bruno gives a wonderfully graphic description of how he has killed Miriam.
Christopher graduates this year from the Oxford School of Drama: http://www.oxforddrama.ac.uk/ which is also where Abram Rooney (Charles Bruno) and Molly Chesworth (Anne Faulkner) have been students. Molly also graduates this year. Jonathan Tafler (Director) has also taught there.
We are really pleased to have been a part of this exciting development in Christopher’s career. We met him afterwards, and he was kind enough to sign my programme and have his photo taken with me (see photos above). We also met Colin Baker (aka the 6th Doctor Who) who is the father of Christopher’s lovely girlfriend Lucy Baker. Lucy had her first book published recently. Watch out for a future blog post about the wonderful ‘Rhino wants a wife.’ Rosie Baker was also watching the play that evening. I just regret being too shy to ask Colin for a photo opportunity too! As Paul said afterwards, with the traffic being so bad that day, Dr Who probably missed not having the Tardis any more.
All in all this was a night to remember, and we look forward to following Christopher’s career on stage and maybe screen.