This is Tamworth -- IT'S quite obvious from the start of this cleverly constructed play by Brian Clemens that something strange surrounds the return of 23-year-old Emma Cranwell to her parents' comfortable home after a mysterious absence of three years. Discovered in a Dublin hospital, she has severe amnesia and at one point is overhead speaking a few words in Russian while brandishing a knife at a portrait on the living room wall. A newcomer to the company, Jen Austen is convincing as Emma who appears to be haunted from something in her past, and there are impressive performances from Phil Shaw and Gina Martin, the girl's parents Max and Laura. While they appear delighted to have their troubled daughter home again, there is something strange about their behaviour, too, and despite apparent wealth, it is soon apparent that they have financial problems. Even so, they have engaged a new butler, Hardy, who adds to the mystery by searching through his employer's bureau when alone in the room, and Brian Asbury is excellent in the role. The plot deepens with the arrival of half-Russian stranger Livago (Stuart Goodwin) with a shock announcement about Emma. Samantha Richards completes a fine cast as the maid, Penny, in this intriguing drama produced by Andrew Bodger, which needs just a little tightening up in the opening scenes when some of the dialogue is difficult to catch, even in the intimate surroundings of the theatre's studio. To Saturday night (March 23). By Paul Marston.
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