The Thrill Of Love by Amanda Whittington made for magnificent viewing at the Apollo Theatre.

It followed the case of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain, and showcased her motivation and the events that led to her death.

The cast was led effortlessly by Holly Squires, who played the titular Ruth Ellis. The true beauty of Holly’s performance was in her natural conviction, especially poignant in some beautifully heartbreaking scenes.

Jack Gale, the detective played by Martin Ward, acted as a structure to the unravelling case and gave an utterly genuine performance.

Then there was the stern, yet motherly Sylvia Shaw, a men’s club manageress, played by Kathryn Ward. Kathryn delivered a masterful portrayal of this complex character.

The fabulous Abbi Leverton played Vickie Martin, a friend of Ruth's. Abbi showcased an excellent understanding of 1950s flirtatious dialogue and drew in the audience with her innate sass.

Finally, the lovable, hardworking Doris Judd was a walk in the park for Susan Simpson, ensuring Doris was dorky and sweet but also adding depth when necessary.

The acting prowess of this cast easily equalled a professional production.

Praise must be given to the crew of this performance, specifically Tristam Stack.

The use of projection to guide the audience to new places, the minimalist set and the subtle changes in lighting to indicate different times were breathtaking.

The costumes were perfect for the era and the link to the music of Billie Holiday was especially effective.

The direction of Chris Hicks and Di Evans was strong, and everything on stage was natural.

Even when the performers weren’t speaking, they were acting, whether smoking, dancing or drinking — the small giggles, quips and facial expressions of the cast were unmatched. Every

detail was covered.

This performance was a triumph of Island amateur theatre and should rightly be celebrated as such.

The Thrill of Love is on every evening, up to Saturday, February 22.

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