03/05/2024 – Review by Patrick Olliffe
I might first begin by highlighting the peculiarities of the show’s venue – Selsdon Hall. One might think from the outside, perhaps if they were driving past or shuffling out of the adjoining Sainsburys, that they were looking at some kind some kind of community centre or sports hall that accommodates PE Lessons for the local comprehensive.
But as you arrive at the building, your first encounter is not with the hall itself, but a charming little coffee shop that acts, in this context at least, as a lounge type area for those who are a bit early or want to stretch their legs in the interval.
Make no mistake, this quirky introduction is not a negative but acts to underline the very backbone of what local amdram is about – community.
It’s the sense of making the best of what we can get with spaces that serve not just our cravings as theatre goers, but local pre-school groups, fitness classes and democracy by ensuring we have somewhere to go to vote by way of polling stations.
Why is this relevant? Because at its heart Pack of Lies is about community vs. isolation.
At the start of the play, we see Barbara (played by Sarah H Gordon) and Bob (played by Michael Hall) wrenched from the familiarity of their world in sleepy Ruislip and into the realm of secrecy, mistrust and suspicion.
And with that said, let us explore further CODAs production Pack of Lies
Synopsis
‘Barbara and Bob Jackson are living an idyllic suburban life with their daughter Julie. But when they are visited by the security services, they are informed that their best friends and neighbours may not be all they seem. The Jacksons must make a crucial decision – and betrayal may come at a terrible cost…’
Perhaps I’m just easily enchanted, but you know a play is good when you have to remind yourself the characters are actually performers by the time the show ends. And what a skill this is considering I knew most of the cast on a personal level.
Sarah ‘H’ Gordon as Barbara Jackson carries the weight of the show on her shoulders, hardly leaving the stage (not that I’m complaining). She, along with Michael Hall as Bob Jackson acted as the emotional bedrock for the duration of the play. When they were happy, we as an audience were happy. When they were anxious and having their strings pulled by the emphatic Mr. Stewart (played expertly by David Sanders), so were we. It's extraordinary that the events of the play are based on a true story.
Credit to Paul Grace for the photographs
The supporting cast also left their mark, not phoning it in for a second and making the most of every line and every step they took on stage. Just like a clock, it only works when all the cogs are aligned and working together, and goodness me did I hear this cast ‘tick’.
However, there is one performance I wish to reflect on – Geet Chawla as Helen Kroger. A new CODA member, Geet stole every scene she was in with a certain mystique to her performance that isn’t often seen. It was so good that I could forgive that slightly sketchy American accent.
The show itself is certainly a slow burn, giving you time with the characters before the drama starts, so to speak. This made the first act slightly dry in places but the audience’s investment pays off come the second act. The Director (Peter Bramwell) clearly constructed the show in such a way that allowed the performers to be quite ‘liberal’ in the way they expressed themselves on stage, a wise decision given the make-up of talent in the show.
Ultimately this show strips back the frills and furbelows to an effective, and at times quite raw, suspense building thriller. I mean, I certainly won’t look at my neighbours the same way as before…
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