Tom Hammond lunged for Esmeralda, gripping her in a passionate embrace...
No, this is not an extract from the latest Mills and Boon novel, but a scene from 'Dead on Nine', the latest production from Ross Operatic and Amateur Dramatic Society.
And the excitement doesn't end there! As well as blossoming romance, Jack Popplewell's acclaimed play, recently performed at The Phoenix Theatre, includes a dark agenda of deception, mistrust and murder.
Under the direction of Barbara Morley-Jones, the cast gave the audience a brilliant fly-on-the-wall insight of a husband and wife embarking on a tit-for-tat campaign of murder plots against each other, spurred on by their hate for one another and extra-marital liaisons.
Playwright Robert Leigh was played with insight by Howard Owen, and gave a sympathetic portrayal of a man trapped by his wife, Esmeralda, in an unhappy marriage, and driven to thoughts of murder after she refuses to divorce him.
Angela Mason, who played Esmeralda Leigh, was excellent as the rich wife, holding the purse strings and, in turn, her husband. Her haughty, clever persona held the audience's attention as she deviously devised a macabre end for the husband that tried to have her murdered.
Jane Russell, portraying the aggrieved mistress, secretary Marion Dale, aroused feelings of sympathy with the audience with her interpretation of a trusting, naive lover, talked into agreeing to pull the trigger.
Esmeralda's lover and accomplice, Tom Hammond was played with verve and zest by Derek Wood, from the American accent down to the swagger.
Paul Delaney as detective Richard Farrow. His character's continual gnawing away at the evidence mounted the tension during the performance, as the audience realised the lead characters were being 'hunted'. And Denise Hall's portrayal of Gladys the downtrodden maid only added to the performance.
But it was Nigel Patrick who stole the show, with his cameo role as Leslie Booth. Camping it up as an aristocrat, Patrick's hilarious and pompous portrayal of a guest caught in the proverbial cross-fire of sniping at Robert and Esmeralda's party, had the audience in stitches.
The special effects were also something to admire, the lavish set depicting the couple's living room definitely adding to the performance. And the well-timed sound effects and lighting gave the play a sinister and brooding atmosphere, well-suited to the play.
A thoroughly enjoyable play to watch, 'Dead on Nine' really was a 'thriller' of an evening!

Ross Operatic and Dramatic Society (ROADS) is probably one of the luckiest amateur drama groups in the country. They have their own wholly owned little theatre - a real gem - with comfortable seats and a great atmosphere. They are able to produce as many (sometimes five) or as few shows a year as they like and they seem to have a good social programme for members. It is no wonder that they attract so many talented people from all around, both on and backstage.
As soon as the curtain opened on Jack Popplewell's “Dead On Nine", directed by Barbara Morley-Jones. you felt that you were in for another of ROADS' excellent productions. This group has a well-earned reputation for very realistic sets. and this one by Ken Farley and Ron Ing was no exception. How did they manage to make that tiny stage look so spacious? I particularly liked the stable door which gave access to the cottage from the clifftop outside.
This is not one of Popplewell's best plays, the plot is rather contrived, although the denouement is very clever and was well done here.
It was good to see Angela Mason playing a glamorous part for a change and Jane Russell is able to look completely different in every part that she play's. Derek Wood and Howard Owen, two of the Society’s most prominent actors, played the male leads and old favourites Paul Delaney, Denise Hall and Nigel Patrick completed the cast.
As usual the backstage crew was spot on and it was good to learn something about them from the programme notes, all too often it is just the actors who get these mini biographies.