Page 79 of The Silent Appeal

Joel is the set designer.

10:43 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

I’ll speak to him. Also, every time I looked at the stage there were more footstools and fussy little tables. Think of the sightlines. They place a barrier between audience and cast. We want to draw the audience in so they feel as if they are in the room with the characters.

10:44 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Denise and Marianne were trying out different pieces of furniture. There won’t be five footstools and four tables on the nights. I hope.

10:45 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

Where will the gun be pointed from?

10:45 a.m. Kevin wrote:

A bush of creeping plants.

10:47 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

I’ll do some research. There may be a more effective way to stage the murder scene.

10:48 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Great. Thanks. You’re a powerhouse of dramatic intrigue.

10:50 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:

Haven’t felt so fired up about anything in months.

To: Rev. Joshua Harries

From: Fran Elroy-Jones

Date: February 11, 2025

Subject: Last night

Hi Josh,

Lovely to bump into you again last night. I’m avoiding a particular cast member, so it helps to dart into the church as soon as Kevin calls for tea break. Last night I managed to grab an extra tea from Joyce’s tray on the way past. They haven’t discovered where I go (yet). That secret door is very well hidden.

The church is beautiful at night; I’m not surprised you take some quiet time there every evening. When was it built? This area has that late art deco feel of the 1930s. I love the little stairway and the room beneath the choir gallery. It’s quite a warren under there! Such a shame the bell tower is so run-down, but as you say, there are so few people who can repair specialist buildings, the cost is prohibitive.

My three friends are still under my wing at Fairways. Ever since Georgia refused to be Gerda, I’ve been desperate that they don’t do anything else to disrupt the play. Amelia and Lucas married spontaneously at a very turbulent time in their lives and I’m afraid they still have a lot of maturing to do. Meanwhile, Georgia is lost and alone. It’s difficult to reach her as there’s an age gap (she’s only twenty) and she doesn’t open up to me the way many people do. Do you find that as you get older, younger people relate to you less and vice versa?

Good news from the Fairway Players is that Sarah-Jane’s sister swept through the rehearsal like a whirlwind and transformed every scene for the better. Kevin was as in awe of her as we all were.

Did you mind that I sat with you in the church during tea break? Like I said, it’s a relief for me to speak with someone I’m not responsible for and who doesn’t want me to smile, reassure, and advise them. Same time next Monday? God bless, Fran

To: Fran Elroy-Jones

From: Rev. Joshua Harries

Date: February 11, 2025

Subject: Re: Last night

Dear Fran,