CATCH ME IF YOU CAN REVIEW AT RICHMOND THEATRE
Play written by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert.
It was great to see Patrick Duffy live on stage at The Richmond Theatre, looking good and reminding us die-hard “Dallas” fans (think I spotted a few in the packed audience) and “Man From Atlantis” fans what a jolly nice guy he is. His character Daniel Corbin, in “Catch Me If You Can“, by writers Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, is desperate to find out what has happened to his new wife, Elizabeth who has seemingly disappeared.
The play opens with Daniel arranging a welcome home sign above the fireplace in the remote Catskill mountains lodge where they are spending their honeymoon. An inspector calls, played by the eclectic Gray O Brien, who feels sure Mrs Corbin will return if only Daniel can be patient. And indeed, she does come back supported by local priest Father Kelleher, concerned that her husband may not be so welcoming and understanding. She has a right to be worried as a very frustrated Daniel is adamant this is not his wife. The plot thickens with the audience not quite sure who to believe – is Mrs Corbin, played wonderfully by Linda Purl, (Duffy’s real-life partner) who she says she is and has her husband, known for just a month and married after a whirlwind romance, had some kind of breakdown? Or is Mr Corbin truly the victim with very little evidence to prove his case?
This psychological thriller, based on the French play, “Trap for a Lonely Man” by Robert Thomas certainly keeps you guessing. Bob Tomson draws out some great performances and keeps the banter and humour rolling as the enigma unfolds. Although the whole drama takes place in one room, the well-designed set by Julie Godfrey, evokes the feeling of life happening beyond the four walls.
The second act sees three more characters entering the fray, each contributing to solving the mystery but not without a few more twists and turns conspiring towards a crescendo of a conclusion.
To explain anymore might spoil the plot so I suggest you go along and try to work it out for yourself!
Leave A Reply