THE LADY VANISHES
New Theatre, Cardiff
Mon 15-Sat 27 July
A new production of The Lady Vanishes, presented by The Classic Thriller Theatre Company, visits Cardiff’s New Theatre this July. The production is a new adaption of the 1938 British mystery-thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, itself an adaption of the 1936 novel The Wheel Spins by Ethel Lina White.
This quick-witted, devilishly fun play sees an English tourist travelling by train, and discovering her elderly companion has disappeared – even though fellow passengers deny ever seeing her. The production includes some familiar faces: Maxwell Claufield, known for his roles in Grease 2 and Dynasty, is Dr. Hartz, a surgeon onboard; Juliet Mills is Ms Froy, the vanishing lady herself. Lorna Fitzgerald, who played Abi in Eastenders for over a decade, leads proceedings as Iris, trying to track down Ms Froy.
The theatre adaption of The Lady Vanishes includes all the characteristics you might expect from an early Alfred Hitchcock movie –a beautiful heroine, murder and suspicious bit players. This production includes a set which transforms from a train station into a carriage, working compartments and all, with the minimum of fuss, whilst the costumes all look to be reminiscent of the time. Prepare for chaos and tragedy to occur in equal proportion.
Tickets: £12-£33 (standard). Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
words Kaiya Simon