Theatre Royal Windsor – until 25th January 2020
Reviewed by Carly Burlinge
4****
The Cat and the Canary by John Willard first appeared on Broadway back in 1922 and had been previously adapted over the years this time by Carl Grose and directed by Roy Marsden.
20 years after the death of Mr West and a rather large inheritance left to be claimed, his greedy descendants show up to his mansion to be welcomed by Mrs Pleasant (Britt Ekland) the housekeeper of many years for his will to be read out by solicitor Roger Crosby (Eric Carte). They discover that his niece Annabelle West (Tracy Shaw) gets it all! The family then discover that a second will has been put in place in case she loses her mind and goes crazy! Once revealed, mysterious thing start happening around the house that seem to place her in danger will it lead her to insanity or perhaps even a murder within the house!!!!!! With many twist all is not as it seems.
Mrs Pleasant (Britt Ekland) gives a precise performance of an old lady as the housekeeper of Mr West for years, frequently on the go with great appreciation for her deceased master and very happy to discuss him at any given moment. She has as a voice to be heard about the evil in the house and how it took her master and the many secrets that it holds along with her slightly disjoined walk conveying a slightly frightening part.
Harry Blythe (Gary Webster) a cheeky member of the family has a way with words is very charismatic but at times can also be impatient and somewhat argumentative. He has a strong dislike to Charlie Wilder (Ben Nealon) who plays an actor quite full of himself and also very charming but they constantly seem to be at each other’s throats due to their attraction to Annabelle West (Shaw) who plays her part extremely well as a glamorous attractive chatty and vibrant author who plays a big part in both the men wanting to constantly argue and get in a fight.
Another family member Susan Sillsby played by the understudy in this performance (Briony Rawle) plays a excellent strong part as being very sharp, somewhat opinionated regarding the family and also dislikes being told what to do but likes to be heard.
Mr Paul Jones (Jordon) who plays the vet of the family, is very clumsy hesitant with his constant dithering playing the part with great enthusiasm which is great to watch.
The set was spectacular as a old eerie room with a large self portrait of Mr West himself hanging on the wall of a dark panelled room looking down on the family. Complete with a writers desk in the corner the room was filled with skulls, taxidermy, old books and jars making it a very detailed set which was interesting and mysterious giving it a ghostly look.
With great sound and creepy noises coming from around the house and intense lighting making the show more dramatic and scary throughout.
The show had lots to offer as a thriller comedy with lots of laughs from the audience during the production as well as exceptional acting throughout, well worth a watch definitely not one to miss.