Pack of Lies, Poulner Players, Poulner Church Hall

THIS play has everything, humour, pathos, tension, suspense and an immensely moving ending.

Hugh Whitemore’s script is very well thought through and the play revolves around a family whose life is suddenly turned upside down by a telephone call.

Set in Ruislip, Middlesex and based on true events, the play opens as the Jackson family greet their good friends and neighbours, the Krogers.

The Jacksons are quickly thrust into the middle of an investigation by the mysterious Stewart played convincingly by Steve Russell, who tells them that the Krogers are Russian spies.

Suddenly even innocent actions take on sinister meanings as the family struggles with deception and lies...and choosing between loyalty to their country or to their friends.

Barbara, superbly played by Julie Lax, especially finds it increasingly difficult to maintain the deception which this service to her country requires.

The first Act lacked pace although it did pick up in the second Act and I was a little put off by the number of times the cast had their backs to the audience, I wanted to see their faces and see the emotion that they were feeling.

The set was well designed and gave us a hallway, sitting room and kitchen.