Caught up in Betrayal
Former Williams resident Tom Rees is appearing in a black comedy revolving around gangsters in London’s East End during the 1960s — and it has more twists and turns than a pretzel.
Presented by Maverick Theatre Productions at the Old Mill Theatre from May 8-18, A Picture of Betrayal is written and directed by Noel O’Neill and explores the day-to-day life of criminals going about their business of thieving, cheating and killing.
Ray uses initiative he doesn’t have and makes decisions best left to others, causing the wheels of retribution to be set in motion.
The question remains: who will be left with the prize?
Rees plays small-time crook Charlie Boggs.
“He has a big chip on his shoulder due to feeling he has been betrayed by his long-time henchman Ray,” he said. “Charlie is seemingly pleasant on the surface but beneath lies a vengeful and vindictive nature.
“Some of the challenges included trying to perfect the Cockney accent and getting the timing right with the comedy, which is always vital.”
Acting since his early 20s, Rees has a wealth experience to his credit performing with the Old Mill, Rockingham, Kwinana, Playlovers, Harbour and Melville Theatres, Graduate Dramatic Society and at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Subiaco Arts Centre and Regal Theatre.
More recently, he appeared in Seventeen at the Blue Room Theatre in 2018.
“A Picture of Betrayal appealed because I know Noel O’Neill and have worked with him on a number of occasions,” Mr Rees said.
“I liked the look of the script due to the humour, as well as some of the darker elements,and the character of Charlie.”
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