"That Good Night" by N J Crisp.

West Bridgford Drama Society.

The Studio Theatre, West Bridgford.

Here's another play that I have not heard or seen before but definitely leaves you with food for thought.

Ralph is a successful screenwriter, charming, cantankerous, rude and a bully and completely selfish. Now is in his seventies and terminally ill; he has two final missions: to be reconciled to his long-abandoned son Michael, and, secretly, to ensure he is not a burden to his younger, devoted wife Anna as he goes "into that good night". But Ralph wrecks all hope of reconciliation when he picks a fight with Michael's new girlfriend, Debbie. Later, alone, Ralph receives the "Visitor" whose services he has hired to provide the painless ending. But the visitor plays a devastating trick......

Ralph is played by Richard Young, and straight away he makes sure that your dislike for the character is plain, but then he makes you feel a kind of sorrow for the situation that he has created, and you feel sorry for the character. There's not much more that I can say about what happens without giving away the ending... so I won't, be let's just say the twist is not one that I had expected, given the visit and what happens at the end of the first act.

Anna is played by Lynn Burges who shows the frustration of living with a man like Ralph, who does not like being fussed over or told what to do. Again, I won't spoil the ending, or anything that happens in the second act, but all I will say is that Lynn's performance really makes you take her side in this relationship, and also makes you empathise with everything that happens due to Anna's actions and reactions.

Michael is played by Calum Sharp. There's a true love/hate chemistry throughout this play between Ralph and Michael, and the softening of the stand off is done very well. Love the symbolism of the weather as a similes for their relationship, which adds to the comedy of the situation that they find themselves in.

Debbie the multi-lingual girlfriend of Michael's is played by Emily Martin, and while only a small part in the story, is part of the U turn in Ralph's emotions, both negative and positive.

The Visitor is played by Malcolm Todd, and delivers the sinister element of the play. After carrying out Ralph's request at the end of the first act, I thought that may be the last we see of The Visitor, but what evolves in the second act brings questions as to the intentions of The Visitor.

Directed by Tony Vokes, and as I had never experienced this story on stage, had nothing to make any comparisons, but what an impact this story has, and how brilliantly it's delivered and performed. The twists come without warning which has the effect similar to being slapped in the face.

The Tuscan villa set design is by Ali and Andy Bakewell and made you feel the heat of the Italian sunshine with the oranges and greens and the mosaics on the tables and chairs. Solidly constructed by Andy and the Society members.

The tidy set was dressed with many props from furniture to flora, both bringing colour to compliment the warmly coloured walls. There's even a noticeboard visible through the blinds of the window that led to Ralph's study. Thanks to Charlie Willcox for this area of the Creative Team.

There are also some pretty quick costume changes in this production and the costumes are so relevant to the climate that the story is set in. Vic Carr and Eleanor Roberts are responsible for the wardrobe side of the play.

Sound Design is by Ritchie Sharpe and operated by Jem Woolley. The distanced sound effects gave spatial awareness of the area outside of the stage. You believed that there was a swimming pool just over the garden wall and the coming and going of the cars.

Lighting Design is by Alex Wardle and operated by Jeff Tullin. This area helped you feel the warmth of the Italian sunshine as it lit up, and warmed up the set.

Production Manager for this play is Barbara Seymour.

Stage managed by Rosie Farrow, assisted by Barbara Seymour.

It's really quite refreshing to see a play such as this because of the content of the story. The talking point is not one that automatically, or easily becomes a subject to discuss, especially with family members. It's well acted by all which perfectly delivers that wonderful awkwardness that N.J. Crisp obviously had intended. I also hope that this may have given just enough away to tempt you into seeing it, without revealing the twists and shocks involved.

"That Good Night" is at the Studio Theatre in West Bridgford until Saturday 8 November.