T he fourth production of this year’s Summer Rep Season at the Manor Pavilion Theatre is Sweet Revenge by Francis Durbridge.

The classic suspense thriller, which began its run yesterday (Thursday) will play until Wednesday, July 22.

Dr. Ross Marquand, a successful and happily married cardiac consultant, is hosting a party for family and friends in his Thames-side home to celebrate the regatta.

But as the guests gather, his perfect world is shattered by the discovery that his wife Fay has fallen in love with Julian Kane, a notorious womanizer. When Julian is found dead in their living room during the regatta, all fingers naturally point to Ross.

But is soon emerges that the deceased may have made more enemies than friends, each with their own particular motive for wanting Julian dead.

From the master of suspense comes Durbridge’s final and arguably most gripping play, an edge-of-the-seat mystery to keep the audience guessing until the final moment.

Francis Durbridge was one of Britain’s most popular crime novelists and playwrights and is most famous for his Paul Temple series, which were broadcast by the BBC for more than 30 years.

It was not until 1971 that Durbridge wrote his first thriller directly for the theatre. The play, Suddenly At Home, starred Gerald Harper and Penelope Keith and was a huge success in London’s West End. Subsequent plays include highly-acclaimed works such as The Gentle Hook, House Guest, Murder With Love, Deadly Nightcap, A Touch Of Danger and Fatal Encounter, making Francis Durbridge one of the most popular thriller playwrights with audiences.

The cast of Sweet Revenge features Alec Fellows-Bennett as Alan, Fiz Marcus as Marian, Francis Adams as Ross, James Pellow as Sam, Toby Joyce as Bill, Evie Lockley as Fay, Matthew Curnier as Julian, Chris Casey as Norman and Sarah Kempton as Stella.

Tickets on 01395 514413.