Misery
1 May 2000
to
6 May 2000
By Stephen King.
Directed by Angie Wetherill.
The greatest horror master of our time turns the screws of suspense to lock us into terrifying tension.
Best selling fiction writer, Paul Sheldon, is cut off from civilisation by blizzards and is increasingly crippled by the tender loving care of No. 1 fan and nurse, Annie Wilkes. Annie is intent on using all her demonic skills to persuade Paul to change the ending of his latest novel - MISERY. She takes her time, won't be hurried, sparing neither details nor feelings in her quest for satisfaction.
Remember the Oscar winning performance by Kathy Bates in the Hollywood movie? This stage version is even scarier... so be warned. Those of our patrons with a nervous disposition are advised to stay at home!! A two hander, it will feature Alison Davis and Dick Sails These two Garrick Stalwarts seem to have been cast as a couple on a number of occasions:-
In "A Chorus of Disapproval" as Dafydd ap Llewellyn and Hannah Llewellyn
In "When we are Married" as Albert and Clara Parker
In "Company" (for Stages & Co) as Joanne and Larry
SAM's view on "Misery"
Welcome to Fright Night
If you go to see Misery, the latest Altrincham Garrick show, I guarantee you'll shudder every time you hear the words "I'm your number one fan" after watching this dark, at times unbearably tense, psychological thriller.
Alison Davis is at the top of her form as Annie Wilkes, the mad medic who makes Nurse Ratchett look like Florence Nightingale.
When writer Paul Sheldon has a car crash he wakes up in the home of Annie and soon discovers that his carer needs a check from the neck up. She's crazy about his work to the point of obsession, is prone to the most violent mood swings and loves to play cruel mind games with her patient cum captive. We also discover that this frumpy wacko left her former profession under something of a cloud, suspected of causing the deaths of patients and colleagues alike.
Altrincham Garrick audiences will know Alison more for her numerous appearances in amateur musicals but, as far as straight acting is concerned, she's been hiding her light under a bushel for far too long. She's so menacing my stomach turned over several times, and like many of you I winced during the harrowing "hobbling" scene. The acting jobs will flood in after this performance.
Dick Sails (Paul) further cements his reputation as one of the Garrick's finest actors and he's highly accomplished when it comes to conveying both total despair and the black humour which brings welcome relief to a depressing script. Director Angie Wetherill must have had a ball working with these two.
If you've seen the film you won't be disappointed by this stage version of Misery. The suspense is certainly there and like their big screen counterparts, Davis and Sails are a formidable double act. Unmissable.
Rick Bowen