Banbury Cross Players publicity and marketing chief Linda Shaw says their next production is a quality drama

How well do you REALLY know your neighbours? That’s the question on everyone’s lips at Banbury Cross Players (BCP) as they prepare for the second production of their 70th anniversary season — Hugh Whitemore’s Pack of Lies. The play takes its inspiration from The Portland Spy Ring — a Soviet operation in England from the 1950s until 1961 — one of the most famous examples of using illegal residents as spies operating in a foreign country without cover of their embassy.

No one would have believed what was going on in the 1950s at 45 Cranley Drive in the sleepy London suburb of Ruislip. Helen and Peter Kroger, antique booksellers from Canada, were keeping a secret from their neighbours that would change all their lives forever.

Bob and Barbara Jackson and their teenage daughter Julie are good friends with Helen and Peter Kroger. Much to their surprise, MI5 arrive on the Jacksons’ doorstep and use their house as a surveillance post, keeping an eye on the activity of the Krogers.

In the nightmare months that follow, the Jacksons’ decent, happy life is shattered as the truth about their much-loved friends is gradually revealed. Helpless in an alien and sordid world of deception and treachery, Barbara reaches breaking point with the agonising realisation that the Krogers have betrayed her and she, in turn, has betrayed the Krogers.

This is BCP’s second staging of Pack of Lies. It was first performed 26 years ago, directed by one of the founder members of the society, Nevill Turner. Nevill is still an active member of the society and revisiting a successful production is a reminder to BCP of their long history of bringing high quality drama to Oxfordshire audiences.

A video trailer for the production, with commentary from the director and character insights from the cast is available to view on the BCP website, www.banburycrossplayers.co.uk 

The production runs from February 4 to 7 at 7.45pm at The Mill Arts Centre, Spiceball Park, Banbury. Tickets are available from The Mill Box Office on 01295 279002 or www.themillartscentre.co.uk