Compton Players in village hall drama

The Compton Players presented Suspect by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham in the Village Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. The suspense of the drama was well built up by a cast of characters who were individually appropriate and showed good team work. The intensely emotional part of Mrs Smith, a woman who many years before had been accused of a particularly brutal murder, was splendidly played by Edith Hill.

Her old Scottish servant was convincingly played by Peggy Simmons, not an easy feat for a young player. As Sir Hugo Const, a newspaper magnate who was the means of reviving the crime, A Walton carried the part with experienced ease. One of the most pleasing features was the acting of Janet Pearse and Peter Monger in the parts of the two young people whose impending marriage was nearly ruined by the revelation of the crime. A refreshing air of poise was introduced by Lady Const, suavely played by Isa Dolan. A lighter touch was brought by Ernest Golby in the part of the Rev. Alfred Combermere. The play was produced by H J Johns, who played the part of Dr Philip Rendle.