Psychological Thriller Opens at Barley Sheaf: NIGHT MUST FALL

by Patricia Bradford

An isolated house. A grisly murder. All of the evidence points to one man who, with increasingly brazen confidence, is insinuating himself into the household, gaining the trust of the owner and seducing her niece…

The late Welsh actor and playwright Emlyn Williams is most famous today for his play The Corn Is Green, based on some of his own childhood experiences, which in 1945 was subsequently made into a successful film starring Bette Davis. But it was his thriller NIGHT MUST FALL in 1935 (in which he also played the psychopathic murderer) that made him an overnight star. Its focus on a psychopathic killer was a step forward in the mystery/thriller genre, and the play has been revived on Broadway and in the West End (London) several times since its original run; two film versions were also produced.

Director Fran Kane, a retired clinical psychologist, was drawn to the play because, although it explores the behavioral patterns of a psychopathic personality, it does not attempt to explain the causes. Instead, the play explores the people whose lives are touched by evil. Each reacts differently for their own reasons, leading to moments of both humor and suspense.

The Barley Sheaf Players’ production stars Barbara Hannevig as Mrs. Bramson, Doug Roberts as Dan, and Katelin Breitmayer as Olivia. Featured actors are Loren Bittner (Inspector Belsize), Warren Fox (Hubert), Michelle Quigley (Mrs. Terrence), Gabrielle Sheller (Nurse Libby), and Madeline Snyder (Dora). In addition to Director Fran Kane, who also serves as Set Designer, Laurie Burke is the Producer, and Tracy Bell is the Stage Manager; rounding out the staff are Karen Barnett (Consulting Producer), Joey Curran (Technical Director), Julia Liebhardt (Props), Glen Eric Reed (Consulting Director), Kevin Robinson (Sound), Carey Rumpf (Master Carpenter), and Stevie Tagye (Costumes).

Join us in celebrating the spookiest of seasons with NIGHT MUST FALL. Can the killer be caught before he strikes again? Is there no one who will confront evil and stop it from progressing? You’ll be on the edge of your seat as the tension builds and you wait to see what happens next!

NIGHT MUST FALL runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 from October 19 through November 3. There is also a 2:00 matinee on Sunday, October 28. Purchase your tickets and select your seats online at www.barleysheaf.org or call the box office at 610.363.7075.

The Barley Sheaf Players is a non-profit, inclusive community theater organization dedicated to the ongoing promotion and encouragement of dramatic arts in the region. BSP is located at 810 N. Whitford Rd in Lionville, PA and throughout the year welcomes new members interested in all aspects of theater at all levels of experience.

Theater/Organization The Barley Sheaf Players
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.barleysheaf.org/

Theater/Organization Address: 810 N. Whitford Road Lionville, Pennsylvania 19353 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (610) 363-7075

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