>>PREVIEW
WAIT UNTIL DARK
Vertigo Mystery Theatre
Starts September 16
Playhouse (Tower Centre)
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Vertigo Theatre launches its new season with the classic mystery/thriller by Frederick Knott, Wait Until Dark.
"It’s a very, very clever story," says director Glenda Stirling.
Starring Adrienne Smook and Trevor Leigh, the play focuses on a young woman, named Susy Hendrix, who has recently lost her sight. When her husband falls into trouble she comes into possession of a valuable shipment of stolen goods and soon the events of the play unravel, as she becomes the victim of three dangerous men striving to obtain the purloined merchandise.
With the help of a young neighbour, Susy knows the only way to ensure her own survival is to even out the playing field.
"As the story continues the stakes rise. It becomes a question of whether or not she can turn the tables on them," says Stirling.
Originally premiered in New York in 1966, starring Lee Remick and Robert Duvall, the play was also adapted into a movie in 1967 starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin.
With such a famous background, it would seem the crew has big shoes to fill, but Stirling says this is not a concern at the forefront of her mind.
"If I know there’s a movie I try not to see it. I go off the script and my own instincts. I try to make that my rule," she says. "You don’t want to be too precious about it."
With sinister characters and much of the play done in the dark, the cast hopes to keep audiences gripping their seats.
"It will be an interesting way for them to see theatre. They’ll have to hear it," says Stirling.
However, amidst all of the suspense there is also the opportunity for laughter. "It doesn’t shy away from humour," she says. "You have to be thoughtful. At what moment do we want the audience to relax and laugh, and at what moment do we want them on the edge of their seats."
Stirling admits some of the humour comes not entirely from the dialogue but from the audience and the characters’ own sense of tension. "The characters tend to say and do not just creepy things but funny things, too," she says.
Laughter aside, rehearsing this famous play was more involved than your average mystery/thriller.
"Technically it’s very demanding because the plot is so strict. You can’t deviate from the script," she says.
Everything on set has a purpose. Tracking of the objects and of the actors themselves may be clues to future action for the audience, so when rehearsing, the cast must be extra diligent in their following of the stage directions.
"With most plays, you read the stage directions and don’t necessarily have to do what the directions say. In this one you absolutely have to do what the script says," says Stirling.
"The plot as a mystery/thriller is very tight. It’s really smart and great fun to play and I think great fun to watch." |
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