When It Rains, presented by UTS Backstage, is an original murder mystery play with an artfully constructed winding narrative. This is a show that takes you for a ride that will leave you constantly wondering what will happen next. The period piece is written and produced by James Neiro and directed by Connor Crick.
Inspired by Agatha Christie novels, this play tells the tale of a recently widowed Lady Thorncroft. During a visit from her dear friend, Elizabeth Stonebridge, a powerful storm arrives. This forces a group of young wedding attendees out of their cars and into the Thorncroft Manor. From there? You’ll need to find out for yourself.
Upon entering the quaint theatre, I was blown away by the detail put into the stage. From the luxurious lounge to the photo frames on the dresser, every detail feels fine-tuned to fit the 1900s setting. You can certainly tell Lady Thorncroft is wealthy.
Despite being a murder mystery, the show never feels too heavy. Neiro does an excellent job transitioning from sullen, emotional moments to light-hearted, comedic ones.
This is supported by the fantastic cast. A comedic highlight is undoubtedly Jess Campbell as Victor. Campbell’s physical acting is priceless as she hobbles around the stage. The character’s appearance as a comedic relief is carefully written into the script. Victor never intrudes on serious scenes and comes right back when the show needs him most.
Scenes with the entire cast on stage never feel overcrowded; each actor’s expressions and reactions to the expanding plot are captivating. However, it’s when you’re left with just two or three characters that the show really shines.
Dynamics shift when certain characters leave the room, leaving you yearning to find out what happened before the manor. In particular, the back-and-forth between Bill and Mary is absolutely enticing. This can be credited to the stellar acting from Harvey Withford-Cave and Sabrina Turner. In particular, Turner’s expressions and body language are incredibly precise. She really sells that ‘troubled past’ trope.
Character relationships are built into every aspect of this show. This can be seen in the little things, like the continued distance between Bill and Mary. It’s also in the trust between female characters, which ultimately drives the show.
Savindi Tillekeratne as Elizabeth Stonebridge is amazing. The character is matter-of-fact without being too callous. It’s also lovely to see a show driven by female friendship; Tillekeratne and Jo Hirsch (who plays Lady Thorncroft) feel like long-time friends. No character is two-dimensional; they all feel like real people with real pasts and motivations.
The chemistry of the whole cast is nothing to be attested. Which is then driven further through the archaic language and delightful accents that sell the piece. Though credit must be given to Cam Grivas and Kiani Braund for their excellent job portraying a recently married couple, Harry and Henrietta. Braund’s acting is so strong, I couldn’t even tell she played two roles.
The sound design is very crafty. The continued rain ambience never grows tiring. It really sells the claustrophobia of the storm. This is then juxtaposed nicely as the play concludes with the bird song as the storm clears.
Additionally, Scullery Maid Green, played by Guzi Li, is an excellent way to split up the show. The transition to the intermission feels very natural, and the fourth wall break makes her character endearing.
If you’re keen for a night of fun-filled drama, When It Rains is a delightful way to spend your evening.
When It Rains is presented by UTS Backstage and runs from 26 – 29 November at Flight Path Theatre. 142 Addison Road Marrickville NSW 2204.
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/utsbackstagewir
Website: https://www.flightpaththeatre.org/whats-on/when-it-rains-presented-by-uts-backstage
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/utsbackstage/ and https://www.instagram.com/flightpaththeatre/
Images supplied.
