"The House Among The Willows" by Robert Scott

Beeston Players.

Round Hill School, Beeston.

This play is something a little different from most of the other plays that I have seen performed by the Beeston Players. Normally, and they are very well known for producing some excellent comedy plays, but this time around they have gone full on thriller.

This play is one that has eluded me until now; the last time it was in the area was when it was performed at The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton, and I was away, but this time around I did not miss out.

Fletcher Davidson is taking his new fiancée to the holiday home of his late fiancée's parents to meet them. Straight away this would ring a few uneasy bells, especially for his new fiancée, Sadie, especially as she seems to be receiving messages from the previous, late fiancee. The house itself would hold memories for Fletcher, but also for the parents, Erin and Paul Berkley, so straight away there's that tension in the air simmering away. If that's not enough for any new fiancée to deal with, up pops another of Fletcher's exes, Kirsty, just to stir the pot even more!

Memories are rediscovered and brought to the surface and hidden truths start to emerge, Fletcher's murky past starts to swirl around his feet, and then up pops another old friend of Fletcher's, ex policeman Josh. All this, and staying in the middle of nowhere in a house among the willows! Who would you trust to be telling you the truth about what really happened to Fletcher's late fiancée?

Fletcher Davidson is played by Callum Scott, who had made his adult debut in Beeston Players' May production. This role is very different and shows even more acting talents from Callum. Very slowly we start to unravel Fletcher and his personality and the mental health issues he has, but if you think that the first act Fletcher is dark, wait until the second act when his demeanor and image takes a very different turn. As I said, in this production, Callum becomes a very different and interesting beast, so be prepared for the change.

Sadie Cooper, the latest fiancée, is played by Helen Nankervis, a name that I had not come across before. Sadie comes across as quite under the thumb, but we soon find out that she will not stand for the sort of scare tactics and manipulation that someone is putting her through. Sadie also knows Josh the ex policeman, and that small town friendship sparks a hint of jealousy from Fletcher, even though Josh and Fletcher have known each other for a long time, so is there reason for Fletcher to believe that something may be going on between the two?

Josh Russell is played by Sean Knowles. I've seen Sean a couple of times with Beeston Players and is one of those very natural actors who has really good projection, so I knew that the casting of this team was going to be a solid one, especially with Callum's confidence and Helen's nervous version of Sadie already in the bag. Nice chemistry between this trio which makes you believe that these three characters have been friends for a length of time.

Erin Berkley is played by Sarah Nicholson, and you really feel that there may be something just not quite right with this character and maybe Erin has an unhealthy protective side for her daughter's ex husband. But then you are drip fed a few clues that proves that line of thought to be not so accurate, so who is behind the notes left for Sadie?

Paul Berkley is played by Rob Jackson. I am a big fan of Rob's and have seen him in many productions with Beeston Players. He makes me smile but he shows that he can play the serious role just as well as the comedy role in this production.

Kelly Vines, another of Fletcher's exes that he picked up in Paris, is played by Meghan Southan. Ooh, Kelly is a nasty piece of work; talk about a woman scorned! As soon as Fletcher and Sadie settle in with Erin and Paul, Fletcher gets a mysterious call, who we straight away assume is from Kelly, but that is what we are led to believe, and then Kelly turns up at the House amongst the willows with unsettling revenge in mind. Kelly's second act performance will be one to mess with your mind.

Directed by Gary Frost, this is a thriller that keeps giving twists all the way through to the very last line spoken in this production, and just when you get your head around what you think is the ending, Gary presents another twist. A brilliant cast in a very different genre of theatre Beeston Players are used to presenting, showing the versatility of the Players. There was no telegraphing from the actors of the outcome of the story which made my first vision of this brilliantly uneasy story a very satisfying one.

Set Designer and Sound is by Sam Williams. The set is split in two showing the living room and the dining room. Not having seen the play before, this straight away threw up several questions about certain things, which as the play went on, suddenly became evident to me; more than that I will not say because I do not want to give anything away.

The props involved are many and apt for a village holiday home, including a lovely old style record player. Props are thanks to Ali Parnham and Margaret Jones.

Costumes are thanks to Barbara Barton, and it's not until the second act, and one scene of this act that a certain relevance of costume becomes apparent and starts your mind working overtime to understand that one certain costume.

Hair and Make up by Maxine Taylor.

Lighting is by Tom Jenkins, who flicks the lighting focus from room to room to highlight where the story requires you to focus on.

Stage Managed by Paul Langston. Normally I would mention the length of time in between changing the scenes, but I was actually quite pleased about the slightly longer scene change times because it allowed me time to try and work out a few things about what I had just seen. Didn't make much difference to the eventual outcome, I still didn't guess what the finale held.

Production Mangers are Barbara Barton and Sue Frost.

I must not forget to mention as well the wonderful Front Of House team, Kevin Fairbrother, Ian Greatorex, Karen Livesey, Nick Livesey and Nina Tunnicliff, for always providing such a warm and welcoming first vision of this theatre group. And also to the members for running the bar and the complimentary tea and coffee station.

"The House Among The Willows" is at Round Hill School, Foster Avenue, Beeston for one more performance, on Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm.

I can't wait to see what their May 2026 production brings after this show!