Death Trap

Deathtrap… a play performed by Southport Dramatic Club, on 24th November 2022 at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport.

Deathtrap was written by the celebrated American novelist and playwright Ira Levin in 1978.  There is no doubt that you could possibly write pages and pages trying to explain this plot; suffice to say that this play has more twists and turns than ‘Spaghetti Junction’ with characters disappearing then re-appearing when you least expect, which resulted in a couple sat a few rows in front of me nearly jumping from Row K to Row H after one such surprise!   The original play ran for over four years on Broadway and was nominated for several Tony Awards including Best Play. In 1982 it was adapted for a film starring Michael Cane, Dyan Cannon and Christopher Reeve.

Production Team … Andrew Sloman (Director) writes in his programme notes that his ‘love affair’ with theplay started twenty-three years ago when he was cast in the role of Clifford, a role that still holds many fond memories for him, so when offered the opportunity to bring that same play to stage, he was more than delighted to accept. It was obvious from the start that Andrew knew exactly what he wanted from this play.  The casting was ‘spot on’ and every aspect of the play was well thought out… be very proud Andrew great job!  Andrew was assisted in the direction of this play by Leslie Cheesman (Assistant Director). Well done, Leslie.

I don’t think I can write much more without making mention of the ‘impressive single set’ used throughout.  As you entered the theatre you were met with an open stage and this impressive set depicting the study of Sidney Bruhl’s home in Westport, Connecticut.  An open glowing fire gave a feeling of great warmth… set against walls filled with guns, swords, handcuffs and various deadly implements which also gave the room an eerie sort of feel. In every corner there was detail, detail, detail… Radley Haynes (Set Design), Bob Jessamine (Scenic Artist) and the SDC Construction Team should, once again, be congratulated on this impressive set!

The Cast… as with any small cast, in any production, it is essential if the production is to work, that the cast work together as a team and this was achieved from the start and throughout in this production!  At this point, in most of my reviews, I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and start identifying MY favourite character(s), but when you know that each member of the cast has done his or her best and that they all contributed to making this play the success that it was, then to start saying that someone was better than the someone else, would, in my opinion, be wrong!   This was, without doubt an ensemble cast working together well, complimenting each other with no weak links.

So, to the ‘cast’, that included Gary Simpson taking on one of three leading roles in this play, the role of ‘Sidney Bruhl’, the successful writer who finds himself with ‘writers block’ and as a result turns schemer, murderer and many more things besides!  Gary took this part and made it his own. Great stage presence, great characterisation… interacted really well with all the other cast members, had some great one liners…i.e.: speaking to his wife Myra about killing someone… “I mean, what’s the point in owning a mace, if you don’t use it” and then “Nothing recedes like success” and what about ‘That Kiss’ you could have heard a pin drop… done to perfection… be proud Gary, great job sir!   On the other end of ‘That Kiss’ was Liam Rabbette who took on the second lead role of ‘Clifford Anderson’… the charming, smart, scheming, aspiring writer, who isn’t at all who he appears to be when he first arrives at the home of the Bruhl’s.  Liam did a great job with this role and made it his own!  Again, great stage presence, great characterisation, believable at all times, be ever so proud Liam, great job!  Our final lead was Cath Fisher who took on the role of ‘Myra Bruhl’, the dutiful, supportive wife of Sidney who suffers with a heart condition and who becomes agitated and uneasy with the suggestions being made by her husband. Cath created a totally believable character, great stage presence and another who worked ever so well with the other cast members… be proud Cath, great job!

Wendy Cox took on the role of the Dutch Psychic ‘Helga Ten Dorp’.  Helga, a successful consultant in the art of ESP, confident, emotional, she just loves making predictions, a new neighbour of the Bruhl’s!  Wendy’s characterisation of Helga was totally believable!  Strong personality, powerful presence on stage, kept in character throughout, if I could offer one ‘tiny’ piece of constructive advice… I loved the wonderful ‘Dutch Accent’ which was there throughout, but on occasions we did lose a little clarity in the spoken word, especially when Helga became animated… just a small thing… hope I don’t offend!   Leslie Cheesman took on the role of ‘Porter Milgrim’, an Attorney and friend to the Bruhl’s, sharp, observant, professional nothing phases Porter!   Again, perfect fit for this role, great accent, great characterisation, totally believable… loved the little jokey type of conversation between Porter and Sidney about ‘Clifford’… Porter: “Pleasant Young man, good looking too” and the quick response from Sidney: “Yes, do you think he’s gay” … to which we already have the answer!  Be proud Leslie!

Staging and Tech… I’ve already spoken about the set, but it seems only fair to say again that this was an impressive set that allowed the actors to perform with ease… congrats Radley, Bob and the SDC Construction Team. Sound and Lighting were, as always here at the Little Theatre, excellent … Sound was under the control of Jon Andrews and Bernie Howat with lighting under the watchful eye of Thomas Ashcroft and Alex McKillop…. be proud folks, great job!

Wardrobe was apt, of excellent quality and enhanced the show so much… looked after by Rachel Tucker and Sam Fulstow… well done!

As always, I like to keep my ears open as I leave the theatre, always a good source of information, about what the audience thought about what they had seen…. I think I’d be right in suggesting that ‘the audience went home happy having thoroughly enjoyed their evening’!

Once again, thank you so much for inviting my wife and I, we thoroughly enjoyed the production and can’t wait to be back next month to see your pantomime Sleeping Beauty!

Stay safe and keep well…
‘STRONGER TOGETHER’  

Jim Briscoe   
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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