Review – St Nicholas Players’ A Tomb with a View

The St Nicolas Players really took on a challenge this year!

After Covid forced a last minute reschedule of their previous play, Spirit Level, from January to August, St Nics had only seven weeks to cast and rehearse this ‘monster’ of a play by Norman Robbins.

With a cast of 10, A Tomb with a View takes you into the world of the Tomb family.

Multi-millionaire Septimus Tomb is dead, and his six children are eagerly awaiting the contents of
the will reading.

Lucien, self-proclaimed head of the family and crazy scientist, Emily, who spends her day scowling, and eating… Dora, a fine gardener and home-made wine producer, Marcus, who lives in his alternative world as Julius Caesar, Monica the maneater and Oliver, chained in the cellars due to his wolf like tendencies.

Along with the children, Mrs Hammond, the housekeeper of over forty years and resident nurse to Marcus, Anne Franklin are also waiting in the library for news of the will.

Sinister family solicitor Hamilton Penworthy kicks off the play by announcing that the first visitors to the house in over twenty years will be joining the children for the reading as it seems, a well known author of romance novels Ermyntrude Ash has been left a legacy.

She, along with her faithful secretary Perry Potter will be joining the family at the gathering.

This sets the stage for a hilarious who done it, full of twists and turns and reveals that even Agatha Christie would be proud of.

Nick Fletcher plays the part of the family solicitor well.

A slight sinister edge creeps through his calm and professional exterior. Nick really gets under the skin of Penworthy and manages to bring a rather dusty dull character to life.

The actors playing the Tomb siblings, Lucien, Adam Patman, Dora, Mandie Collier, Emily, Joanna Hobbs, Marcus, Edward Harriss, and Monica, Emma Dobbs, really shine as a sibling group.

Bringing forth all the characteristics you find in such a large family, their comedy timing, scathing words to each other and at times tender moments really shine through.

Adam fills the stage with his physical acting and comedic outbursts, and is often brought to heel by the harsh words of his sister, delivered expertly by Joanna. Edward is in his own world and plays the part so well you believe he really is Caesar.

Mandie highlights Dora’s struggles to come to terms with the death of her beloved daddy, and is often regarded with contempt by her younger sisters. Emma is convincing as the man eater Monica.

She delivers seductress vibes that would make most grown men weak at the knees.

Agatha, played by Bev Moore, Nurse Franklin, by Jules Jones, Perry by Joe Dickinson and the elusive Miss Ash played by Arline Evenden could almost have their own spin off play.

Dour faced and ruling the roost, Bev is everything you would expect from a long serving housekeeper of a creepy old mansion.

Jules fully delivers duplicity as Nurse Franklin.

Throughout the performance, you never know whether to trust her or not. Joe and Arline have great chemistry.

You really believe their relationship and feel their fear and confusion at being thrust into the heart of Mansion House, home of the Tomb Family.

Joe’s nervous disposition is a wonderful touch and you find yourself wondering who is going to be taking advantage of him next.

Tomb really takes you on a journey and the combined cast bring each character to life. With no main character, you can really tell through their individual performances that each actor has really thought about their role, and how to portray a very dysfunctional family.

First time director for St. Nicolas Players, Glen Barker said he is really proud of the company of actors he has had the pleasure of developing the show with. “I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated team than those that came forward for this production.

“They captured the vision I had of the Tomb family and really brought the whole thing to life. We didn’t have a long time from casting and rehearsal to opening night but they really pulled it off.

“Add to this, the expert talents of our set and costume designers and back stage crew who brought my vision to life in the usual St Nic’s style. I am very proud of all of them.”

A Tomb with a View is on at the South Holland Centre until October 22.

Tickets can be booked through the South Holland Centre Website
£12 and £10 concessions