Death Knell by James Cawood Directed by Lois Sibstsen

“Death Knell”  by James Cawood, Directed by Lois Sibsten

30th October – 10th November 2018

Set in an isolated former hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, Death Knell follows Henry Roth, a famous playwright and his wife Evelyn, as they await the arrival of his new ‘muse’ – a charming and charismatic young actor called Jack ……

What starts out as a seemingly innocent audition soon leads to an evening full of twists, turns and eventually …. murder.  Mixing black comedy and shocks of the highest order, Death knell reinvents the classic thriller genre and will leave audiences breathless and beguiled right up to the final curtain.

Can DCI Lazen unravel the mystery?  Or are the twists and turns too much – even for him?

Henry Roth is a Playwright of thrillers, husband to Evelyn and usually has a glass of something in his hand

Trophy wife, Evelyn Roth, wife of Henry and a neurotic recovering alcoholic who isn’t as sweet as she seems.  Is something else going on?

Little known amateur dramatics actor Jack Willoughby, looking for more work.  Where will he find it?

Message from Lois Sibsten, Director;  This is my first production with Cue Theatre, but have involvement with Stratford-On-Stage, my involvement in amateur dramatics spans over 20 years.

Over this time my experience ranges from being a learner tap dancer in “Stepping Out” to a saucy wench in “Lust”.  I directed Ghost Writer, Busy Body and Who Goes Bare, I also ran a group for junior actors called “Kids on Stage”

Death Knell was one of three plays that I read for this production with Cue.  I found the script intriguing and even after a second read through, I was puzzling over the twists and turns within the plot….  I thought, “this will keep people guessing”

Death Knell is a complex plot that we want to keep secret so that …  all will be revealed on the night.  I shouldn’t be too worried about it being given away, as the plot is so twisty it will keep you guessing, even after you leave

Message from James Cawood, Playwright;  I am always delighted to have my plays produced throughout the world but to have Death Knell produced in New Zealand is particularly exciting.  Not only is it as far away as you can get from the UK, but the ancient landscape with its mountains and lakes as well as the loneliness and the mystery of the country seems ideal for the play set in the Highlands of Scotland.

I wrote Death Knell about eighteen months after my first play, Stone Cold Murder, which had proved quite successful.  Suddenly there was a bit of pressure on me to write a play with as many twists and turns as many dupolicitous characters (although they may not seem so at first) and with as many moments of shock and surprise.

In the end, the plot had fully formed in my head, after many a long walk, or run, Death Knell was a joy to write and I hope it is a joy to perform

Cast:  Steve Hobson (Detective Chief Inspector Lazan); Simon Buick (Henry Roth); Katherine Wolfe (Evelyn Roth); Tyler McGlone (Jack Willoughby)