Cross purpose disintigrated

"The Drama Club's production of Cross Purpose emphasises words and ideas rather than mise en scene. Camus "diagnoses humanity's plight as purposeless in an existence out of harmony with its surrounding."

The plot does show dramatic possibilities. A son, long absent, returns to mother and sister, who mistaking him for a rich traveller, plan to kill him for his money.

The play began well and suspense was created and maintained throughout the first act. (A minor point—but in spite of continual references to the cold and dark country of the play, sunshine poured through the windows.) But lack of action and a series of long philosophical discourses caused the attention to flag in the second act, and from then on the play disintegrated.

The actors did not know quite what to do with themselves while they delivered their long speeches, and either became puppet-like or vacillated pointlessly about the stage, Only Martha (Alana Guiniven) constantly managed to inject life and purpose into her movement, using it to express the inner tension and frustration of the character she played. Jill Drewery's portrayal of the disillusioned passive mother was good, but her voice lacked variety. On the contrary, Philip Brew, as the son, made good use of his voice, especially in his monologues.

Good actors are hampered by a play that is drawn out, and finishes on an unsatisfactory and gimmicky note.

M.H.