Pack Of Lies

Reviews

This play is based on the true events surrounding the notorious spy scandal of the 1960's involving Gordon Lonsdale, and more directly Helen and Peter Kroger. The action centres around the lives of the Jackson family, husband Bob, wife, Barbara and daughter Julie, who become the unwitting good neighbours to the Krogers, in the London suburb of Ruislip. The play is a powerful piece of drama and the cast were all good in their character interpretations.

For his first directorial role, Martin Herford is to be congratulated, only one minor criticism, I thought the pace lagged at times. Despite this, the content was well delivered. The split set was excellent, and worked very well. The period was nicely captured and complimented by the costumes. The Jacksons were portrayed by Vic Miller, Glenys Young and Sandra Trott, as the husband, wife and daughter respectively. They all came accross as the typical suburban family of the period and I was particularly impressed with Sandra, she showed good stage presence and obvious potential. Vic was the 'ordinary' solid, supportive husband and Glenys, his wife, put a lot of feeling into her character as she became increasingly frustrated, confused and angry by the situation developing around her, which was beyond her control.

Barry Young as Mr Stewart, the civil servant responsible for controlling the covert surveillance operation from the Jackson house was very believable and his lengthy deliberate explanations of the situation, to the family were well conveyed. There were also nice supporting perfomances from the two MI5 girls, who were staying with the Jacksons during the operation. The Krogers, Helen and Peter played by Barbara O'Kelly and Paul O'Kelly were also both very good. They were convincing as the supposed innocent Canadians and gave little away as to their more sinister purpose.

Colin Butcher, NODA

Pack of Lies by Hugh Whitmore dramatises events in Ruislip in the early 60s which let to the arrest of the Krogers; the outwardly neighbourlt 'Canadians' who turned out to be spying for the KGB. Blackmore Players' production skillfully drew the audience into this story of friendships betrayed and innocence lost with a realistic portrayal of the ordinary friends whose lives are turned upside down.

Glenys Young as Barbara Jackson looked wonderfully anxious and nervy throughout as she fussed over her wayward daughter, ably played by Sandra Trott, and contrasted beautifully with the exuberant warmth of Barbara O'Kelly as Helen Kroger.

Paul O'Kelly played an enigmatic Peter Kroger who gave nothing away, while Barry Young gave a strong and well-paced performance as the mysterious Mr Stewart, the man from the MI5 whose surveillance operation led to the Krogers downfall. Naomi Chance and Ann Morris were reassuringly down-to-earth secret agents, and the sense of realism was enhanced by a detailed and authentic set, although the minor adjustments made between each scene tended to slow the plot down.

However, the beautifully observed performance of Vic Miller as the genial bewildered Bob Jackson was genuinely moving, and his final speech reporting Helen Kroger's bitter denunciation, and the untimely death of his wife drew gasps from the audience.

An excellent production from Martin Herford.

Joy Dunn, 'Go!' part of the Essex Chronicle Series