The Librarian by Stephen Moran, presented by Rushen Players

Simple staging welcomed the audience, with full blackout and some jovial music to start.

Previously presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Rushen Players were granted permission to present this new work.

Ann Poole, performed by Racheal Joughin, was our lonely librarian who weaves a tale from a lonely childhood spent in the company of books and fantasy, to adulthood where she has no friends to call upon but spends her time retreated in the local library where she is a quiet and unassuming librarian.

As the play moves on Ann regals the audience with a tale of suspense, intrigue and misunderstandings; all her time with books has led to Ann having a wild imagination and jumping to conclusions.

Racheal had a big role to fill as Ann, but she had the audience visualising the tale with no help from props or staging. Sound effects used at appropriate moments enhanced the audience’s experience.

A small cast of characters joined Ann on stage at various times. A special mention must go to Billy Newton, playing the role of Alan with his menacing gruff accent (at least we assume it is an accent).

This was a delightful play, executed excellently by Rushen Players. A play that we could happily watch again. Well done to everyone involved.