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VERONICA'S ROOM - ACT REVIEW

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Last Post: Saturday 7th February 2026

Veronica’s Room was written by Ira Levin and directed by Carolanne Connolly. Ira Levin’s work is known to be challenging and sometimes unsettling as it explores psychological themes. He was famous for such works as Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives. His most well-known play is Deathtrap which enjoyed a long run on Broadway. He received Edgar awards and The Bram Stoker lifetime achievement award. Audiences will be surprised and intrigued by the subject matter as well as feeling the tension as realisation and incredulity builds. Veronica’s Room certainly falls into this category. Rossendale Players delivered drama and tension as the play evolved around a disturbed and dangerous household into which an innocent and unsuspecting young woman is pulled. The time shifts were key to the plot which at first seemed an innocent but quirky aspect to the family but then became a pivotal to the terror about to unfold. As a play with just four actors but eight characters it requires both skillful direction and talented actors which Rossendale Players provided. Peter Holden, as ‘The Man’ gave a strong performance as the old retainer with an Irish accent and also the family member embroiled in years of terror through which he also managed to convey a little reluctance and regret – a tiny remnant of humanity left in his personality. ‘The Woman’ played by Michelle Arthur showed none of these characteristics, driven terrifyingly by a psychopathic desire for re-enactment and murder. She too used an Irish accent at first before becoming her true self. Well done Michelle! You were convincing and so scary. Perhaps the most terrifying was the ‘Young Man’ played by Matthew Holmes whose initial role seemed quite small and ordinary until his acting talent was given full rein in his second and real character, masquerading first as the Doctor then into the son whose insatiable desire drove the events of all their lives. Into this group steps ‘The Young Woman’ played superbly by Ella Sanchez. It is a challenging role which she played very well, being young, confident and modern at first then gradually becoming puzzled, angry and scared until the terrifying conclusion. The play relies a lot on the acting and dialogue to create the atmosphere and tension. This they certainly delivered helped by an excellent set with props and period furniture to show ‘Veronica’s Room’ in all its glory. Carolanne Connolly directed a play of great merit which held the audience in suspense right to the end. Well done everyone for a super production and an enjoyable evening!