The House on the Cliff

A mystery comedy, by George Batson. Directed by Jo Newman
July 2006

Synopsis

The House on the Cliff by George Batson, a popular American crime writer who sets all his plays in England, has played to packed houses throughout the past decade.

After the sudden and violent death of John Clayton, his daughter Ellen is confined to a wheelchair. Having inherited her father's estate, Ellen lives in a remote house with her cold stepmother, and an austere housekeeper, under the treatment of the family doctor. Ellen makes little sign of recovery, until the substitute Doctor arrives. Doctor Phillips believes that Ellen can walk and, with the help of Nurse Pepper - a cheerful, curious person wishing to put things in order - sets about helping Ellen get well. Just as Ellen shows signs of recuperation, things around the house disappear, secret passages open and close, and a member of the household meets a cold and unexpected end.

The action takes place in the living-room of Cliff House, overlooking the Channel, in 1956

Many congratulations to Jo Newman for a very successful first production. The play was a light and amusing who done it?. Lesley Arnold's Miss Pepper, the bumbling nurse-sleuth, gave the play just the right touch of comedy; and the rest of the cast and those behind the scenes all combined to keep the audiences enthralled and guessing to the end. Perfect for a summer production. The play was a light and amusing who done it?. Lesley Arnold's Miss Pepper, the bumbling nurse-sleuth, gave the play just the right touch of comedy; and the rest of the cast and those behind the scenes all combined to keep the audiences enthralled and guessing to the end. Did you manage to guess correctly? Perfect for a summer production.

Acts and Scenes

Act One

• Scene 1 : Early afternoon in September


• Scene 2 : Two days later, late afternoon


Interval of 15 minutes



Act Two

• Scene 1 : Afternoon, several days later


• Scene 2 : Eight-thirty the same evening


Interval of 15 minutes



Act Three

• Scene 1 : Two o’clock the following afternoon

Cast and Crew

Performance Dates

Wed 19th Jul 2006 at 7:45 PM
Thu 20th Jul 2006 at 7:45 PM
Fri 21st Jul 2006 at 7:45 PM
Sat 22nd Jul 2006 at 2:00 PM
Sat 22nd Jul 2006 at 7:45 PM

Photographs

There are photographs from other production and events available in the gallery.

Other Material