'I'It is good to have this talented group of players in the city and their five productions a year add much to the theatrical experience of many.'
Click on the image to find out more about our last production.

Click here to visit the Garrick's website and book online

ABOUT THE PLAYERS
HISTORY
THIS SEASON
PREVIOUS SEASONS
REVIEWS
 

 

'BREATH-TAKING'.....'SHOCKING'.....'A FINE PLAY'

(Birmingham Mail, full review below)

A fitting finale to the 2008/2009 Season.

Phil Shaw directs Nicholas Wright’s adaptation of Zola’s classic novel.

The Lichfield Players closed the 2008-09 season with Emile Zola’s sinister tale of adultery and murder in nineteenth-century Paris.

Thérèse Raquin is unhappily married to the sickly and selfish Camille. To escape her misery Thérèse enters into a tragic affair with Laurent. But how far will their passion lead them, and will they be able to live with the consequences of their actions?

Zola described his creations as "human beasts" who kill in order to satisfy their lust. His shocking tale examines the motivations of these complex characters.

Thérèse Raquin ran in the Garrick Studio from Tuesday 2nd of June to Saturday 6th June.

 

 

Phil Shaw (centre) directs an early rehearsal, blocking the cast and focusing on text work. Cast pictured: Rachel Duncan, Tom Rowley, Nigel Lowe, Adrienne Swallow, Sarah Stanley and Don Harris

REVIEW for THERESE RAQUIN

NEATLY staged in the intimacy of the theatre studio, this Emile Zola drama brings out the best in a fine cast who cleverly build the tension until its gripping finale.

Dramatised by Nicholas Wright, the story reveals how attractive Therese Raquin's dissatisfaction with her rather feeble and ailing husband, Camille, leads to a passionate affair with artist Laurent and the first steps to a murder plot.

But with hubby out of the way, guilt grips the worried widow, and Rachel Duncan is a superb Therese who finds that marriage to her lover only leads to fear and panic over their actions rather than joy and contentment.

The final scenes where she and Laurent - brilliantly played by Nigel Lowe - engage in a battle of words over their crime, under the withering glare of the dead man's mute, stroke-victim mother, Madame Raquin (Adrienne Swallow), is breath-taking, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.

There are enjoyable lighter moments in the play, too, especially featuring family friends Michaud (Tom Rowley) and Grivet (Don Harris).

A simple but well designed and constructed set helps stimulate the atmosphere of a fine play directed by Phil Shaw. It runs to Saturday night (June 6).

VERDICT: * * * *                                                                

PAUL MARSTON

For the Birmingham Mail and Black Country Mail

 

Contact us at this address: lichfieldplayers@googlemail.com