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TOWARDS ZERO

Sept. 2003     

Agatha Christie's Towards Zero, currently playing at the Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa,  features one of Agatha's lesser-known detectives, Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard (Greg Barnes). He's not a star here in the manner of a Poirot or Miss Marple - in fact, he doesn't appear until the second act. But in the meantime, the audience is treated to all the elements of classic murder mystery: a country house, a violent storm, everyone with a motive. Not to mention the traditional surprise ending.

     What the audience seems to enjoy most about this outstanding production is a talented and energetic cast that keeps this dialogue-laden story moving with the sheer force of their talent and energy until the real action begins to unfold in the second act.

     Guests are assembled at the Cornwall home of Lady Tressilian (Ann B. McKnight) They include Nevile Strange (Jonathan Sachs), his current wife, Kay Strange (Cari Lowery),and his former wife Audrey Strange (Debbie Britt-Hay. Lady Tresillian's devoted companion, Mary Aldin (Lucinda Moaney), Thomas Royde (Christopher  Amour) and Mathew Treves (Mark Loveless) round out the guest list. Murder, Treves feels, is never the beginning of a story; it is the culmination of a sequence of events, the final point of a countdown towards zero. 

     Everyone seems to have forbodings of "something about to happen," and they are not disappointed. It's a brutal, violent murder (performed off-stage) so there isn't a lot of blood to mar the beautiful set designed by David Wiener and painted by set artist Rosemary King.  Wiley Ellis is set builder and columns are by Leland Kennedy. The plot of course, involves who did it, and why. Set in the current time, the costumes are exquisite, showing off the two leading ladies to complete advantage, and the men are effectively and believably dressed thanks to costumer Dee Quiroz. Peter McGuinness was lighting director.

     The cast makes sure it's an entertaining evening. Sachs is alternately kind and menacing as the rich Nevile Strange. He turns in an exciting and darkly intense performance that contributes greatly to the success of this show.   Cari Lowery plays an absolutely witchy Kay Strange, who is jealous of Nevile's former wife, all the while she is eyeing the possible inheritance from the demise of Lady Tressilian. Lowery is lovely, talented and makes you wonder how such a sweet-appearing young woman could ever be so shallow and cunning. Debbie Britt-Hay plays Audrey Strange with pleasing depth and courage. Britt-Hay has considerable presence and acting skill that serve her and her fellow cast members quite well. She manages to hold her own with Kay when the cat-fight reaches its peak. These are two very good actors who play off each other quite well. Amour is a calming influence a family friend who has just returned   after seven years in Africa. Amour turns in a marvelously low-key and smooth performance as those around him seem to be losing their heads.  Will he win the girl   in the end? Find out.

    Solid performances are turned in by Dustin Kisler as Ted Latimer, a playboy friend who has been in love with Kay, and Greg Barnes as Superintendent Battle. Joe Czajka admirably fills the role of Inspector Leach.

     Directed by Mark Loveless and produced by Jim Jennings, "Toward Zero" offers a great evening of entertainment with its talented and exciting cast, and with a surprise ending that hits so suddenly, it catches you off-guard.

    "Towards Zero" continues with Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. There is am 8 p.m. performance on Thursday, Sept. 25. The theater is located at 8053 University Avenue, La Mesa. Reservations can be made at the theater box office, 619-464-4598.

By Gerry Reeves
Theater Writer

 "Toward Zero" is the current production on the stage of Lamplighters Community Theatre that will play through October 5th. It is a typical Agatha Christie mystery with many twists and turns. Mark Loveless is the director and he also plays the role of Mathew Treves, an avid reader of mysteries. Ann B. McKnight plays the matriarch of the family, Lady Tressilian. She does not understand how come Nevile Strange, (Jonathan Sachs), divorced Audrey, (Debbie Britt-Hay), to marry Kay, (Cari Lowery). Lady Tressilian was very fond of Audrey and does not like Kay at all. But did Nevile dump Audrey or did she run off with someone else? Christopher Armour plays Thomas Royde, the cousin who came to visit after being away for three years. Was he the guy that Audrey was interested in? Lucinda Moaney steps into the role of Mary Aldin, the personal assistant to Lady Tressilian. She seems to have a mysterious background and could she become a suspect? Dustin Kisler plays Ted Latimer, the friend of Kay Strange, who has been invited to the house for dinner.

Dinner has been served and it is time for bed, when Lady Tressilian was found in her bed murdered. There are many suspects in this case and it takes the brilliant mind of Superintendent Battle, (Greg Barnes), along with his assistant, Inspector Leach, (Joe Czajka) to solve this case.

Mark Loveless has done an excellent job in directing a tightly paced production with no gaps. The cast has done a commendable job in working together and performing an entertaining, suspenseful play.
Lamplighters Community Theatre is located at 8053 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA. Call the box office at 619-464-4598 for reservations.

Beverly Ragsdale - Reviewer



1/18/04