CAT'S CRADLE

performed at Cumbernauld Theatre, 23rd & 24th February 1996

PEGGY FLETCHER	Carol Finlay	SAM FLETCHER	Robert Grice
MISS MERTON	Moira Goldie	SARAH FULTON	Leigh Pirrett
PAMELA FULTON	Karen Moir	JACK FROST	James Keenan
BOB MARRIOTT	Allan McPhail	SIR CHARLES CRESSWELL	Alan Peebles

A deadly serious Apex? Can the town's longest-established amateur drama company, best known for their manic farces, cut it without misplaced trousers, mistaken identities and scantily clad girls?

Judging by "Cat's Cradle", the latest show from the Apex Players, the answer to these questions is a resounding yes.

A rare foray into straight drama (although laced with tinges of sharp humour), "Cat's Cradle", seen at Cumbernauld Theatre last week, gave Apex's front-line talent a chance to show another side of their skills.

The play, written by Leslie Sands and directed by Bob Morson, focussed on police inspector Jack Frost's return to a quiet village to unravel a case which stumped him 12 years previously. His attempts to uncover the truth about the disappearance of a baby boy meet silence and anger as the villagers close ranks, leading to a shocking conclusion.

Heavy stuff - but definitely something Apex should try more often. The eight-strong cast rose to the challenge admirably, delivering some of the finest performances in Apex's 30-years-plus history.

Robert Grice played landlord Sam Fletcher with just the right amount of glowering shiftiness, while Carol Finlay excelled as Peggy. Moira Goldie made the most of her all-too-brief appearance as elderly Miss Merton, and Karen Moir worked wonders with a multi-layered portrayal of Pamela Fulton, mother of the missing boy.

Leigh Pirret was as perfectly cast in the crucial role of Sarah Fulton as Allan McPhail was as raincoated local newspaperman Bob Marriot. Alan Peebles, one of Apex's most expert comedy performers, proved himself equally adept at drama with a superbly brooding performance as Sir Charles Cresswell.

The role of obsessed copper Frost would have taxed many a professional actor, but James Keenan handled the part with ease and flair, whether delivering Frost's flippant wisecracks or in his darker, more serious moments.

The performers certainly benefitted from working with professional director Bob Morson, who ensured that they play zipped along with maximum impact, giving extra weight to the plot's twists and turns and enlivening the more static, "talkie", scenes.

Apex have a well-deserved reputation for comedy, but it would be a real shame if they were to keep the dramatic talents displayed in "Cat's Cradle" under wraps.1