Rebecca

Nash Theatre New Farm certainly know there way around a radio play, having produced countless during the last few years in their Lux Radio Theater recreations, The Canterville Ghost, The Wizard of Oz, The War of the Worlds, and The 39 Steps to name just a few.

Daphne du Maurier’s beloved psychological thriller of intrigue and passion now joins the list. It comes with a distinguished pedigree, having been performed by Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and is actually an adaptation of Robert Sherwood and Joan Harrison’s screenplay for the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock movie which starred Olivier.

The stage is set-up as a radio studio with stand mikes, “On Air” and “Applause” lights, a sound effects desk, and a squeaking door. Live mood music - Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and others pieces of that ilk - were played on piano by Stuart Crisp and used to set the scene and as underscore throughout. It was one of Dan Lane’s smart directorial choices.

Renaud Jadin as Maxim de Winter, the owner of the edge-of-the-cliff manor house Manderlay in Cornwall, was the star of this production. Authoritative and commanding, with a big, booming, basso-profundo voice, he was perfect as the aristocrat who’s forever evasive and at heart hiding a very dark secret. Bianca Butler Reynolds, as the second Mrs de Winter, had vulnerability, innocence, and a chillingly effective blood-curdling scream, whilst Rebecca Malone’s devious and vengeful Mrs Danvers blistered with menace. Marie Ortquist turned in a good performance as the rich vulgar American Mrs Van Hopper, likewise James Elliott as Jack Favell a young man desperately out-of-his-depth, with Hugh Taylor and John Grey as the doctor and groundskeeper rounding out a solid cast.

Sound effects wiz Jonathan Collins never missed a doorknock, footstep, or crashing wave which helped complete the total live radio experience. Each act was top and tailed by commercials for Lux soap, the original sponsors of the series. In the hands of Emily McCormick and Trevor J. McMillan they were light, fluffy, and fun.

Peter Pinne