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The Confession
A Psychological Thriller
By Mary Roberts Rinehart
Adapted by Cameron Feagin
Directed by Terry McCabe
At City Lit
1020 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago, IL
Call 773-293-3681 www.citylit.org
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through December 14, 2008
Classic Mary Roberts Rinehart mystery unfolds at City Lit
Prolific American mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart’s “The Confession” comes to life on stage in an adaptation by Cameron Feagin under the direction of Terry McCabe at City Lit. Mysteries are difficult to do on stage especially a memory work that requires much narration. The problem with the main character doing much narration is that is it inhibits the building of suspense. The quick pacing necessary to sustain the tension of a mystery is diluted by the scene changes and the narration. The constant movement of the curtains didn’t help either.
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Despite those curious devices, “The Confession” is a pleasing mystery deftly acted by Mary Poole as Agnes Blankiston—a middle aged woman who is enticed to rent an old house for the summer outside a small town in 1916. She brings along her Irish maid Maggie (Cameron Feagin) who instantly believes the house is haunted. As the summer moves along, Agnes, with Maggie’s prompting, slowly realizes that things are not what they seem to be. The house is being visited by someone at night. The telephone rings during the night and when Agnes answers—no one is on the line. Foot prints are found and objects are moved or left ajar. Is the place haunted? Who is the night visitor?
The house’s owner Emily Benton (Kay Schmitt) visits and it becomes evident to Agnes that she is hiding something. Could she be the mysterious night visitor? When a note is found after one of Emily’s visits, Agnes and Maggie believe it is in Emily’s handwriting. The note is a confession to a horrible crime but there is no evidence of a crime. “The Confession” unfolds as a powerful depiction of guilt and mental breakdown. It is a portrait of a woman caught up in circumstances beyond her control or understanding.
City Lit’s production is a workable mystery that could use a quicker pace to heighten the suspense but it still delivers Rinehart’s psychological thriller aptly. Mary Poole and Cameron Feagin fine work anchors the show. Rinehart’s mystery will leave you satisfied.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2008
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