The Inn
by Richard Lloyd

Reviewed by Ray Jones-Davies for The Croydon Advertiser

A playwright treads on dangerous ground when he decides not only to appear in his own play but also to take on the task of producer. However, Richard Lloyd managed to avoid most of the pitfalls the “The Inn.”

Groupings were always good, although a little more observation might have rectified the robber’s garbled delivery and highlighted the fact that trestle tables and modern chairs clashed with an otherwise excellent medieval set.

Based on “Sing a last song of Valdese,” by Karl Edward Wagner, the play refers to the feared and legendary Kane, to heresy, the Devil and a secret sect mastered by the Grey Lord, and manages to build up considerable suspense.

Although the ending of the second scene needs attention, (the dwarf’s somersault is too abrupt and illogical a finish), and the script tends to dwell too much on the recounting of past legends, failing to use current activity to develop the plot.

I feel that the work has a future, possibly as a festival entry, and will be particularly attractive to boy’s schools (the cast of ten having only one female).

Chris Woolgar gave a strong interpretation of the innkeeper, a part which could so easily have become melodramatic and both Chris Argles and Tim Warner helped to establish period and style with their excellent vocal delivery as the abbott and the theologian.

Cast Details:

The Girl

Helen Noble

The Priest

Richard Lloyd

The Innkeeper

Chris Woolgar

The Abbot

Chris Argles

Kent, a scholar and theologian

Tim Warner

Hef, a robber and murderer

Mark Outhwaite

Ronan, a ranger

Martin Cole

Dordron, a merchant

Mark Hobbs

Jarcos, a merchant

Tim Young

Bodger, a dwarf

Sean Gardner

Technical Crew Details:

Director

Richard Lloyd

Sound

John Wooden

Lights

Jeremy Simms

Special Effects

Lee Wilkinson

Dry Ice

Mike Bramwell

Curtains

Helen Wooden