“The Innocents” comes to life

Suspense builds in Fairburn

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

Southside Theatre Guild gets in the mood for all things creepy with their production of William Archibald’s “The Innocents” opening tomorrow night. Based on “The Turn of the Screw,” the classic tale of terror by Henry James, “The Innocents” concerns two orphaned children, Flora and Miles and their strange behavior. A new governess comes to take care of them, but soon comes to believe that the children are possessed by evil, malicious spirits -- the souls of their previous governess and estate manager who are now dead. The powerful psychological drama weaves an eerie, spine-chilling mood right from the start.

The show is co-directed by Nancy Norris and Rick Lewis who have been involved with the Guild for several years. Norris started out doing the lighting in 2001 and moved onto acting parts in “Good Morning, Miss Vickers,” “Heaven Can Wait,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and this year’s original production, “Keeping Dixie” in which she played the part of Aunt Judith.

Norris, who is on the guild’s script committee asked to direct. “I like psychological dramas and ghost stories and I had a vision of what the show should look like.”

She was given the chance to make her directorial debut with the help of veteran guild director Rick Lewis. “It’s been loads of fun.” Norris said.

Rick Lewis has been with the Southside Theatre Guild for 19 years. He directed “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Ten Little Indians,” and “Noises Off” for the theater and has done ”everything between the front door and back door” as well. “It has been a long and wonderful relationship.” Lewis said.

As for “The Innocents” Lewis said the challenges were partly in the lighting. Creating mood and suspense in a world of candlelight and shadows gave the director and cast something different to strive for.

The four main characters that inhabit this haunting play are: T.J.Mercer as Miles; April Coyne as Flora; Rachel White as The Governess; and Paula Saje as The Housekeeper.

The production opens September 23, and plays every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening for 3 weeks, closing on October 9. Curtain is at 8:00 p.m. each evening, and you ask that you arrive for the performance at least 15 minutes in advance.