“I read it and fell in love with it,” she said. “I love the twisted, surprise ending. There are a lot of twists and turns. It reminded me of (the movie) ‘Rear Window.’ ”
Indeed, like Jimmy Stewart in that famous Alfred Hitchcock movie, “Night Watch” is the story of someone who thinks they’ve witnessed a murder in the home next door. That someone is Elaine, a woman with a troubled past. Her first husband was killed in a car accident with his young mistress. So when she claims to have seen a dead body in the supposedly empty house next door, and the police find neither bodies nor blood, the people around her suspect her fragile mental state has finally shattered. Her current husband, John, brings in a psychiatrist, and her best friend, Blanche, gives her medication.
Matters are complicated by the fact that John and Blanche may or may not be having an affair themselves, not to mention the eccentric neighbor and creepy maid. Even the cops and the psychiatrist are a little weird. In any case, nobody is who they seem to be.
“Night Watch” was written by Lucille Fletcher, who is perhaps best known for “Sorry, Wrong Number,” a radio play that was eventually made into a hit 1948 film, starring Barbara Stanwyk. Tucker said that a common theme runs from “Sorry, Wrong Number,” about a wealthy, bedridden women who accidentally overhears a plot to murder her, and “Night Watch,” that of women being victimized by men, physically and psychologically.
“John is very controlling (in ‘Night Watch’),” she said. “With him, it always comes back to (Elaine) being crazy, that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
Tucker said the LTC often has a theme for every season. This season, it’s Ladies Leading the Way.
“We usually wait to hear what directors are pitching to the board,” she said. “And then build the theme around those shows.”
Tucker also warned that your experience of “Night Watch” won’t be ruined if you’ve seen the movie.
“It’s very different from the play,” she said. “I personally love the play more.”
Contact this contributing writer at aaronepple@gmail.com.
How to go
What: “Night Watch”
When: March 10-12, 17-19
Where: Lebanon Theatre Company, 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon
Cost: $19-$60
More info: 513-228-0932 or www.ltcplays.com
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