Reviewed by Jacquie Walters, courtesy of The Northern Advocate

Bogwood Productions' realisation of New Zealand playwright Pip Hall's play The 53rd Victim at the Old Library is an excellent piece of ensemble theatre, which amply illustrates the old adage "less is more".

Opting for a simple white set, with actors in white with black accessories, and splashes of red for key props and the main character's dress, frees the audience to focus on the physicality of the acting and - more importantly - on the words.  It seems singularly appropriate that a play, which revolves around a character who uses words to create the life she wishes she had, has been given the room it needs to breathe in this way.

It is no easy task for a cast who are all onstage for most of the play to maintain their focus and energy levels and to remain interesting to look at and to listen to, but the Bogwood ensemble manages the task well.

Director Kelly Johnson has used a light touch without being gimmicky or distracting.

Sarah Boon does a commendable job in the lead role, demonstrating range, control and appealing diction.

There is some patchy acting from some of the actors but this is more than compensated for by the excellent collaborative work being done by the cast as a whole.

The autopsy, judgment and paparazzi scenes were highlights for me and the pathos achieved at one point in the show (I won't reveal exactly when, so as not to give away a plot detail) moved me to tears.