Edward Alderton Theatre Home | News | This Season | Next Season | Bookings | Auditions | Members | Archive | History | Location | Links | Contact Us   The Devils by John Whiting Directed by Paul Jennings 12-19 May 1984 (7 performances) This play is set in Australia and deals with the complex problems of inter-relationships between men and women, complicated by the passage of time against a background of prolonged absences and elements of doubt. Cast Sewerman Andy Blackburn Mannoury Mike Higginson Adam Brian Senner Ninon Jane Darling D'Armagnac Ted Howard De Cerisay Bob Phillips Grandier Gary Heron Trincant Brian Warner De La Rochepozay Peter Howard Father Barré David Hampton Father Rangier Paul Castle Phillipe Trincant Stephanie Dungate Sister Jeanne Sue Higginson Sister Claire Joanne Colyer Sister Louise Lianne Glanville Sister Gabrielle Susan Hampton De Laubardemont Steve Marshall Father Mignon Ron Gates Prince Henri De Condé Peter Howard Cardinal Richelieu Derek Goulding Louis XIII Andrew Hansford Bontemps Andy Blackburn Father Ambrose Brian Warner Clerk Derek Goulding Page Andrea Hampton Lay Sister Freda Phillips Townspeople, Servants, Monks Andrew Hansford, Robert Hicks, Freda Phillips Crew Stage Manager Janet Henderson Assistant Stage Manager Avis Taboni Set Design Paul Jennings Costumes Freda Phillips Properties Jackie Stone Lighting  Colin Goldberg Sound Phil Hedges   Reviews Nuns' story steamy stuff The company at Bexleyheath's Edward Alderton Theatre deserved a better and bigger audience than it got for Monday night's performance of The Devils by John Whiting. Over the years, local theatregoers have come to expect the unusual, the courageous and the more adventurous of productions from the Brampton Road group - and those who did attend their latest effort were not disappointed. This long play, with steamy love scenes, about demonic possession and the problems of religious life in the 17th century was rivetting stuff. Under the strong direction of Paul Jennings, the large cast were assisted in presenting the action-packed play by an adaptable stage set, designed by the director, and very effective lighting by Colin Goldberg. Vivienne Forse The Leader | 24 May 1984   A drama of possession If William Friedkin, director of the hit horror movie The Exorcist, had known about Bexleyheath's Edward Alderton Theatre actress Sue Higginson before he plumped for the now famous Linda Blair, he might have thought twice about his choice to play the starring role. For Sue's performance in John Whiting's The Devils at the Brampton Road theatre last week was first class. She played Sister Jeanne in this tale of possession set in and around a convent at the town of Loudon in France, in the 17th century. Her interpretation of the sweet innocent nun who becomes an evil monster, once possessed, was remarkable, especially when her lines involved instantaneous change from one character to another. Also impressive was Gary Heron as Grandier, the priest whose capacity for pleasing the female sex seemed limitless. His unchaste relationships eventually cause his downfall in this three-hour marathon of a play, which managed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout. Director Paul Jennings' use of lighting was extremely clever, bringing scope and depth to a very simple but effective set, which he also designed. Others who deserve mention are Andy Blackburn, who played the down-to-earth sewerman, and Freda Phillips, who was responsible for the colourful costumes. The only shame of the performance I attended was that it seemed there were more people in the cast than watching. R C Kentish Times | 24 May 1984