Dangerous Obsession			Download the programme.
Players rise to the challenge of psycho thriller
Coming from the pen of well-known TV and stage writer NJ Crisp, the tense psychological thriller Dangerous Obsession gave the Grasmere Players new challenges.
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		The play opens with wealthy but bored wife Sally Driscoll wandering into her well appointed conservatory after sunbathing in her large garden. The peace of the afternoon is interrupted by the arrival of a stranger who seems to know all about her, husband Mark and their affluent lifestyle. He introduces himself as John Barrett and reminds her that they have met in the past as two couples at a business weekend. He claims he has something important to discuss with her husband and she invites him to wait for his imminent return. Mark, anticipating a Friday evening wind down and social weekend, is dismissive of the visitor. But Barrett is not to be put off.
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As the play progresses Barrett's motives for visiting are developed through a subtle dialogue of threats, changing power balances and fear. Gradually hidden relationship issues surface as the action moves inexorably to its destructive conclusion.
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		With a cast of only three the play demands that each role has consistency of characterisation and excellent timing of dialogue to carry the plot. Young actors Charlotte Downs as Sally and John Coombe as Mark, conveyed their characters with energy and enthusiasm.
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Holding the triumverate together was an excellent performance from Dennis Henderson as the unwanted visitor. His sublte variations in pace and delivery kept up the level of menace whilst holding our interest and even sympathy. Good work from the stage crew and technicians gave us an impressive set and frighteningly realistic special effects. And, under sensitive direction of Judith Henderson, the Players are to be applauded for tackling this notoriously difficult genre and extending the range of their scope and range of their actors.
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Pam Williamson The Westmorland Gazette, Friday 4th March 2008.