Players of Elstead Theatrical Society (PETS) recently performed a three-night run of its autumn production The Small Hours written by Francis Durbridge and directed by Terry Gardiner

The opening scene is a night flight from Australia with hotelier Carl Houston (Jos Johnston) and Ronnie Sheldon (James Tong) setting the intrigue into what is about to unfold with subtle but very effective sound effects.

The remaining scenes take place in the apartment of Carl and Vanessa Houston, at their hotel - The Orchard Hotel in Chichester. The set was great and Graham and Rowan Lonsdale should also be applauded for their stage construction and lighting.

The play then unfolds as we are introduced to Vanessa, Carl’s wife, played by Maggie Stock, George Westwood, played by Peter Jewell, the hotel’s chef Bernard Decker, played by a very cheeky, fake smiling Stephen Henderson, and Peggy Tilly, who played Millie Decker, his long-suffering wife but obviously a great friend to Vanessa and Carl.

So what do a koala, a devious chef and an emerald necklace have in common, and how does a Sussex hotelier, Carl, nearly lose his life in finding out? Maggie Stock plays the supportive, albeit confused, wife, who just wants answers from Carl.

Could it be something to do with Ronnie Sheldon, the redundant advertiser, or the hotelier Carl Houston, or the canny copper, George Westwood, who does graciously admit some of his suspicions were probably wrong, or the efficient, bustling hotel manager, Russell Wyatt, played by Terry Gardiner?

Perhaps it's Oliver 'Rise above it’ Radford (Phil Ryder), whose only wish is to put you down, or the celebrity chef - or none of them? We are completely drawn into the story and its complexity, and in its last climactic minutes all becomes clear.

There was often background music, written especially for this production, which perfectly fitted all the machinations – this and the pace of the action, the lively intensity of the cast, literally kept us on the edge of our seats as we tried to work out what might be going on.

To summarise, the play was brought to us so powerfully by each member of the fine cast, director and crew, the way in which it had the audience transfixed throughout, in serial confusion, doubt, hope, certainty and involvement as the mystery unfolded. The whole cast were brilliant and fantastic.

What a fabulous show, PETS! Thank you very much.

David Irwin and Anneliese Wadham

On September 2, 1982, in the front room of a house in Elstead, three people met to discuss the idea of forming a theatre group.

It was on that day that the Players of Elstead Theatrical Society, or PETS as it is now known in the village, was formed. It has been suggested that the three founding members, Peggy, Elaine and Theresa, had something to do with the name.

As will all local amateur dramatic societies, there is a lot of work involved both on and off the stage to put on a production, so if anyone is interested in joining or lending their support to PETS, its email address is [email protected].

Alternatively, they meet every Wednesday at 8pm at the youth centre next to Elstead Village Hall. Anyone interested should go along - the players would be delighted to meet new people.