Written By
Jack Popplewell
Where and When
8th – 10th April 1965 @ Church House, Wimborne
The Plot
A man reliant on wife’s money asks for divorce after ten years of marriage, on refusal he attempts to kill her, and other murders ensue…
Cast
- Tom Hammond – Russ Guillaume
- Robert Leigh – Tim Eling
- Marion Dale – Rita Stuckey
- Esmerelda Leigh – Thelma Dryden
- Richard Farrow – Sam Fawcett
- Gladys – Vera Conway
- Leslie Booth – Robert Tomlinson
Creative Team
- Director – Arthur Brooks
- Stage Manager – J McKay
- ASM – Muriel Brooks and Michael Webb
- House and Business Manager – Edmund Henbest
- Lighting – Dennis Curran
- Properties – Sue Hammet
- Make Up – Douglas Treharne
- Prompt – Gillian Lucas and Sheila Scaddy
- Effects – Peter Brooks
Gallery
Reviews
Thriller entertaining – but no thrills
Wimborne Drama Club’s presentation last week of Jack Popplewell’s thriller, Dead on Nine, provided enjoyable entertainment, but it did not provide thrills.
It must be said, in fairness, that most of the really thrilling action of this play takes place off-stage, but there are oppurtunities for the players to build up tension and suspense. Unfortunately the pace was so even and leisurely and the dialogue so conversational that most of these oppurtunities were missed.
Tim Eling played the part of playwright Robert Leigh sincerely and kept his head commendably when slight hitches occured. Russ Guillaume was convincing as the playboy Tom Hammond and was well supported by Thelma Dryden as Robert’s wife Esmerelda.
Sam Fawcett gave an understanding performance as the detective, Farrow; and Rita Stuckey’s Marion Dale was a straightforward characterisation of the secretary who was eliminated. Vera Conway and Robert Tomlinson capably filled the roles of the maid Gladys and the guest Leslie Booth.
D. McKay stage managed, assisted by Muriel Brooks and Michael Webb, this team being responsible for a very attractive setting. Gillian Lucas and Sheila Scaddy prompted, Douglas Treharne was make up artist, Sue Hammett was in charge of properties and Peter Brooks operated effects. Edmund Henbest, the club’s chairman, was house and business manager.
Programme
