A Travelling Salesman,
premiered by Napier Repertory Players, written and directed by David Moore.
Little Theatre, McGrath St, Napier, until October 16.
There are secrets galore in the Seaview Guest House, but plenty of laughs too, most of them courtesy of landlady and widow Joan Billings, played with just the right mix of
ditziness and vulnerability by Carole Boswell. A little more of the reasons why she is selective with the truth and why she falls for mysterious salesman Len Craven is revealed with each scene.
Craven, played by Ben Corney, exudes charm when he's with Joan, who's flattered by his attention, but doesn't even come close to pulling off the same feat with her daughter Mandy, played by Caroline Reddie. His pleasant demeanour changes in his interactions with her, in fact he becomes just a little menacing, so it's no wonder she pronounces him "creepy".
Mandy comes very close to finding out exactly who he is. She's harbouring a secret of her own, which only stands to confuse nice guy (and somewhat suffering) boyfriend Johnny Slade, played by Sheldon Reddie.
Gordon Lee does a fantastic job of the shuffling, nervous Uncle Sid and Adrienne Hurley's brief turn on stage as Craven's partner only makes his "story" all the more believable. A gentle comedy that deserves an audience.
Tickets from the Napier Municipal Theatre.
Tania McCauley.
