"Picnic At Hanging Rock" by Lace Market Theatre Youth Group

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.

Normally I like to get to see a production on the first night, but as this week is such a busy week for local theatre, which is excellent, the earliest I could make this show was Thursday night. And my excitement and anticipation for this production was sky high.

The Australian gothic novel was written by Joan Lindsay and adapted by Tom Wright. The book was made into a 1975 film.

This production is moody, unsettling and enigmatic with a very poetic text, and enough screams to awaken any theatre ghost!

In the early 1900s, Miranda attends a girls boarding school in Australia. One Valentine's Day, the school's typically strict headmistress treats the girls to a picnic field trip to an unusual volcanic formation called Hanging Rock. Despite rules against it, Miranda and several other girls venture off. It's not until the end of the day that the faculty realizes the girls and one of the teachers have disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Who in this large cast of fascinating characters is responsible for the disappearances? Is it Mrs. Appleyard, the matron and headmistress of the college? Does the young French teacher Mademoiselle De Poitiers know more than she will say to the police? And what about the two young men who watch the girls climb the mountain? Why do they return to the rock after the police investigation? Or maybe one of the eight remaining schoolgirls conspired against the others?

Keira Fletcher (Nikki/Miranda (bright blue sash)), Esme Garaway (Amber (red sash)), Indica Davies (Arielle (pale blue sash)), Lucia Lockley Morante (Elizabeth (orange sash)) and Lauren Shelton (Harriet (green sash)) portray the girls. All creating a spooky physical echo to replicate the vastness of the Australian region and the cavernous Hanging Rock with all of its' crannies and crevices; any of which could have engulfed the girls and digested them into the fabric of the rock and the landscape. Great storytellers all.

Daisy Donoghue (Mrs Appleyard) is wonderfully spiteful, in fact quite evil in her attitude and the way that speaks to Sara. She nailed the cut glass British accent as well.

Anais Barré (Sara), Viola Hiebert (Irma), Kate Russell (Marion) and Rosie Hardwick (Miss McCraw).

Georgia Feghail (Edith), is one of my favourites, I know I shouldn't have favourites but Edith injects comedy into this supernatural chiller/mystery. Emily Hallam will take over the role from Georgia on Friday and Saturday performances, and I'm sure will be just as likeable as Georgia.

Lois Stevens (Michael) is one of two actors playing male cast members. Michael is a young Englishman, student like in appearance. Kassandra Pittock-Holdsworth (Mr Hussey | Gardener) is the other one, complete with Australian accent, and both making good-looking young men.

Jess Erwin-Jones (Madamoiselle de Poitiers) injects another accent into the play, this time, as you've probably guessed by the name, a French accent, and a nice soft French accent, easy on the ear.

Fred Sevenson (Policeman) gave off an air of authority in his questioning of the girls, women and Albert.

Noah Ash (Albert) is a young actor who I have a feeling will go far. He looks and sounds very at ease on stage, and he also has a hand on playing emotional scenes as well. All the actors show great maturity in their roles, and I don't know if, because of being only one of a few male performers, the male characters do stand out among the female characters, he came to my attention.

Directed by Sarah Ogando, she successfully created a creeping, menacing feel, making us totally engrossed to the extent that when the end came, I for one had to check my watch to make sure that the time was correct as the time just flew by.

The Set Design is by Phil Makin and the rock is prominent throughout. The rich red colour making you feel the heat that could have been coming from the rock itself.

The Lighting Design is by Allan Green, assisted by Evelyn Marriott, and simple is better in some cases and that is what it is for this play. Avery simple looking design but incredibly affective.

The Sound Design by Aaron Connelly is one that really adds to the atmosphere and the sinister feeling. From the kookaburras chirrups to the use of the echo chamber, it all gave a feel of unease.

Luis Ogando provided the original music. The stripped back piano version of Inxs' "Never Tear Us Apart" is haunting.

The story-telling and poetry of this play is something that I'll remember for a long while to come, plus there is still the mystery of what really happened to the missing girls!

Photos courtesy of Joanna Spencer-Sopotyk

"Picnic At Hanging Rock" is at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 9 April with a matinee and evening performance on Saturday.