My Cousin Rachel
by Daphne du Maurier, adapted by Diana Morgan
Philip Ashley travels to Italy to find his cousin Ambrose has died suddenly and Rachel, Ambrose’s wife, has gone. Philip returns to England convinced Rachel was responsible for Ambrose’s death, hoping to inherit his possessions. When Rachel arrives in England Philip falls in love with her. One small event after another causes a kind of see-saw of belief and disbelief. Is Rachel a scheming murderess or a grossly maligned woman?
Director’s notes
Daphne du Maurier is an excellent storyteller and adapter Diane Morgan has distilled the essence from du Maurier’s tale. A young man, Philip Ashley inherits Barton, a Cornish Manor after the sudden and mysterious death of his beloved guardian and cousin Ambrose. Ambrose’s death in Italy comes after his equally sudden marriage to a distant relative, the eponymous My Cousin Rachel. When we meet him, Philip’s view is that Rachel Ashley is firmly in the frame for murder. But then she arrives at Barton and his opinion changes.
It is a joy to direct the opening show of the 2019–20 season with the theatre fresh from its refurbishment. And a joy to tackle one of Daphne du Maurier’s tales. Her
famous titles: ‘Rebecca’, ‘Jamaica Inn’, ‘The Birds’ and ‘Don’t Look Now’ have always been favourites of mine.
This very talented cast and creatives have helped me tell the story and it has been a delight and a privilege to work with them. Whilst the story is set in nineteenth century Cornwall, we have added a quirky ‘steam punk’ influence
to the style.
We hope you enjoy the show and in true enigmatic du
Maurier style make up your own mind about the ending.
Carol Davies
Cast & Crew
Rachel Ashley Verity Mann
Louise Kendall Kerry Ely
Philip Ashley Sam Reid
Nicholas Kendall Peter Fitton
Seacombe Neil Bamford
Rainaldi Mark Rosenthal
James Max Fletcher & Stanley Mille.
Director…………………………………………………………….Carol Davies
Set design……………………………………………………Raad Al-Hamdani
Set construction …………………………………………………….Colin Watt
……………………..with Oliver Benson, Mike Clegg, Steve Whitehead,
………………………………….Keith Begley, Verity Mann & Carol Davies
Stage manager …………………………………………………… Elliot Knight
Lighting ……………………………………………………………..Bob Critchley
Sound ……………………………………………Luke Settle, Sam Rowlands
Costume …………………………………….. Verity Mann, Jackie Mackey,
……………………………………………………………. Cath Bingley, Jan Peel
Props …………………………………………..Hazel Phillips, Lily Chapman
Prompt ………………………………………………………………Angela Bryan.