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POSTED: 31 AUGUST 2009

Intent to Murder, by Leslie Sands

(Genesian Theatre, Sydney | Until 3 October)

Watching Genesian’s latest production, Leslie Sands’ Intent To Murder, I felt a strange sense of deja-vu and longing. The first came from the feeling that I was watching an old potboiler screened on late-night television; the latter from a desire to be viewing the performance in black-and-white!

Set in 1950sYorkshire, Intent To Murder follows a couple of weeks in the rather twisted life of Janet Preston (Lisa Harrison). Janet writes romantic novels of commercial success if not literary greatness. Her own love life, however, is not as idyllic as her novels. With an estranged husband and designs on the younger, attached Larry (Andrew O’Connell), Janet contrives to create her own happy ending.

Complicating an already tricky situation is the sudden appearance of her husband’s ‘business partner’, George (Chris Smith), the fact that the woman Larry is attached to is her secretary, Chris (Stefanie Funnell), and the persistent intrusions of neighbour and local vet, Henderson (Colm Grace). There’s no butler to pin the rap on, but there is an all-seeing cleaner, Mrs Bunting (Meg Mooney).

Plot twists, revelations and evil-doings abound. If the title hasn’t already given it away, you just know someone’s going to meet a sticky end.

Director Joyce Birch has endeavoured to recreate a period piece that draws on the acting style of the time — and to some extent succeeds, although not consistently. It was occasionally difficult to know whether or not some scenes were deliberately being played for laughs, and some of the potentially more dark moments lost some impact.

On the night I attended, Lisa Harrison’s Janet appeared at times to brim with malicious and Machiavellian intent. Some scenes however, especially those in which Janet attempts the femme fatale, felt quite flat and uncertain.

Chris Smith as George put in a strong, occasionally menacing performance, and Stefanie Funnell’s Chris showed moments of fragile brightness that were quite affecting.

For an amateur company, Genesian productions maintain a high standard in their set and costume design, with meticulous attention to detail. A hilariously histrionic score enhances the occasionally overwrought storyline (well done, Michael Schell!).

Despite some bumpy patches, Intent To Murder is a diverting study into the history of the suspense thriller, and judging by the audience’s reaction, still a fine night at the theatre.