MY COUSIN RACHEL

Where: The Church Hall, Quarndon.

When: Tomorrow.

Tickets: £6 on 01332 553982.

RACHEL Ashley has arrived at the house of her dead husband's cousin, Philip Ashley. Her husband Ambrose has died in mysterious circumstances from an unidentified illness, tragically for Rachel, before he had time to change his will in her favour. His entire estate has been left to Philip.

Rachel arrives to return the personal possessions of Ambrose to his nearest and dearest, but Philip soon falls under the spell of the bewitching Rachel despite his initial misgivings. Is the beautiful Rachel all she seems or should Philip heed the warnings of those around him?

Du Maurier's novel provides rich pickings for the QUADS with the talent available to them. The production takes place in the round and on the whole this works well.

The cast are strong and the RP accents of the two leads are convincing. Chris Scott is wonderful as the love-sick Philip Ashley and his descent into obsession with Rachel is well played. Lisa Kelly makes a fine Rachel who leaves the audience wondering right to the very end whether she has been misjudged or whether she really is scheming and manipulative.

Julie Cooper as Mrs Seecombe, delivers some lovely comic moments, sometimes with just a look. Sophie Clouston works well as the sulky Louise Kendall, whose plans to marry Philip are scuppered with the arrival of Rachel, but her accent is insecure in places.

My only criticism would perhaps be the set changes into the round. With one entrance, the frequent clearing of props became quite intrusive for those sitting along that aisle. Perhaps integrating this into the performance with stage hands in character as servants rather than the somewhat frantic rushing in the dark would have worked better.

This was however a superior production, worthy of great merit, and one of the best I have seen this year.

Fiona Watson