Cast: Sarah Cabrera, Halen Diane Fobister | Photographer: Clara Euler
Damon Rochefort’s Skeletons at The Cockpit Theatre for The Camden Fringe Festival is a wildly intoxicating brew of comedy and murder mystery. Adapted from his newly commissioned TV pilot for the stage, this production by the award-winning theatre group Nothing to Perform (N2P) proves that intrigue on the small screen can be transformed into theatrical gold with great skill.
The play is set in a suburban cul-de-sac where everyone holds secrets, lies, and motives for murder. Ingeniously plotted, this is Agatha Christie’s style brought forward with an angry, edgy humor by Rochefort, sharpened with work on some of Britain’s best-loved television, including Coronation Street, Birds of a Feather, and Benidorm.
At the center of this production is Sarah Cabrera, an N2P associate artist, who plays Michelle, one of the protagonists. Cabrera puts on a charismatic performance. She manages that delicate balance between humor and tension as she plays a character whose motives stay intriguingly opaque throughout the performance. Commanding the stage, she subtly unravels Michelle’s layers, which is a sign of her incredible talent and experience.
Cabrera’s Michelle is at once an enigma and an anchor in a chaotic world of feuding neighbors and hidden agendas. Cabrera keeps viewers guessing whether she’s dishing out a withering one-liner or wordlessly conveying silent suspicion with a flicker of expression.
Director Harriet Taylor deserves the highest praise for her taut, effective staging. The production could have easily descended into confusion with a cast of twelve playing an array of quirky and suspicious neighbors. Instead, Taylor ensures each character is distinct and memorable, with the plot’s many threads seamlessly woven together. The result is a fast-paced yet clear narrative that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
The script is a real treat, full of meaty twists and fully fleshed-out characters. From the older woman who uses a wheelchair but can actually walk to the devious husband with a mysterious past, every character adds depth and intrigue. Adding an undercover outsider who comes in to investigate her friend’s disappearance brings even more tension, hinting that there may be even greater stakes involved.
Writing by Rochefort and some great performances from the cast hint at what could be a full-blown mini-series. Judging by this tantalizing glimpse, Skeletons could easily attract a loyal TV audience eager for weekly doses of humor and suspense.
Skeletons, in its entirety, was an interesting presentation of creativity, talent, and promise. Sarah Cabrera’s shining performance, complemented by sharp direction and a great ensemble, made this production one of the highlights of The Camden Fringe Festival.
For lovers of comedy, mystery, and gripping theatre, Skeletons is a must-watch.
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