GHOST WRITER

by David Tristram

"Really good entertainment..." "something for everyone..."

Directed by Pamela McPhail

Performed at Cumbernauld Theatre, 1st & 2nd June 2001

WHAT THE PAPERS SAID...

MURDER MYSTERY FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE WITH APEX PLAYERS

Ever thought a ghost story could be funny?  Well the latest Apex Players' production depicts just that.  Ghost writer was  performed at Cumbernauld Theatre last Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2.

Written by David Tristram, Ghost Writer presents us with a suicidal playwright, Edward, who for a year has been mourning the death of actress wife Ruby, who apparently overdosed at a party for a production of Hamlet.

Meanwhile Edward has moved into the attic of his best friend Alex.

One night Edward is stunned to see the ghost of his late wife appear at the window.  He is even more shocked to hear Ruby was murdered!

Ruby must find out who killed her and why, and together with Edward, they whittle down the suspects until they are left with three, who were still around at the time of her death.  It is only then Ruby and Edward decide to write a play based on that fateful night in order to weed out the killer - it all sounds rather grim and depressing I know, but it was actually really good entertainment!  As a whole I must say despite the underlying morbid theme, Ghost Writer was more of a satirical comedy.  Funny homosexual characters, puns and the continual light-hearted humour made this play even more enjoyable and interesting for me.  Furthermore, Ghost Writer attracted a fair amount of interest as the theatre was pretty full.  Although the audience mainly consisted of the older generation, I imagine the target audience could be anyone - this play had something for everyone.  Not only this, considering there was newcomer actors and first-time producers, the acting was credible and of high standard.

Ghost Writer left me thoroughly satisfied, the humorous tone lightened the atmosphere and in the end we find it was the cool and calculated, yet jealous Frances who murdered Ruby.

Ghost Writer was directed by first-timer Pamela McPhail and starred Allan McPhail as Edward and Ann Wilson as Ruby, with James Keenan, Carol Finlay, Lynn Robertson and newcomer Derek MacDonald.

Cumbernauld News, June 6 2001