Tack of Lies’

Press, 12 June 1989, Page 8

Tack of Lies’

“Pack of Lies” by Hugh Whitemore. Presented by the Repertory Theatre, Kilmore Street. Directed by June Harvest. Running time: 2J4 hrs. Reviewed by Roy Montgomery. The members of an orderly middleclass English family living in a quiet London suburb, going about the business of keeping their noses clean, become entangled in what amounts to a spycatching operation. Unfortunately, the events that unfold produce a conflict of loyalties — friends or country? The mixture of a “true story,” authentic setting, and the theme of betrayal is nothing new in theatre. “Pack of Lies” does not make for ordinary fare, however. The play poignantly mocks the notion of one’s home as one’s castle, and, for the most part, this production does justice to the work. The interactions of the Jackson family were generally convincing, especially the controlled portrayal of Bob (Peter Cameron), the “man” of the house, and the ebullient daughter, Julie (Helene Goode). Barbara Jackson is the consagnce of the family (andsthe play), and airtimes Diane Parsons’’ performance

strayed in the direction of melodrama, but when the right balance was struck the result was compelling. Robert Britten as Mr Stewart, the spycatcher general, was also a little uneven. He tended to under-play or lose focus in a few places, but succesfully conveyed the insidiously manipulative nature of his character.

The “spies next door” duo was not always as effective as it might have been, but on her own Eva Joel, as Helen, did suggest that as a friendly neighbour she was somehow too perfect. The frequent jumps, lighting fades, and “close-ups” in the production betray the origins of the work in television, and present one or two continuity problems. Some of the transitions were made easier by the use of music, the Vaughan Williams piece sounding particularly eerie in this context.

Apart from the odd quibble about costumes (flares in 1960?) and the points relating to some performances, the play is coherently presented in this production, and there is no real impediment to “Pack of Lies” pacing the punch intended by the writer .nt' is worth seeing. .