Deathtrap

The preface to the published script for this play contains the following statement, “Levin has taken the basic components of thrillers and horror stories, murder, deceit, innocent dialogue, with hidden sinister meanings, plot reversals, unexpected turns of events, etc., and rearranged the pieces again and again”. Having seen SLT’s production of “Deathtrap”, I find myself in complete agreement with this assessment.  Sidney Bruhl (played by Andy Canadine) is a previously successful writer now suffering from writer’s block and financial hardship. Relief from both these situations seem possible when Bruhl receives a play from student Clifford Anderson (played by Craig Pakes). Bruhl frightens his wife Myra (played by Michelle Ritchie) with the suggestion that he kills Clifford and promotes the play as his own work. What follows adopts a ‘play within a play’ format that is a murder mystery with clever touches of humour that are inclined to make you relax, only to be jolted to the edge of your seat- it really is full of twists and surprises. Much of the humour was conveyed by Tina Hodgson through her role as psychic Helga Ten Dorp, and Lionel Rudkin, as Bruhl’s legal advisor, who made sure his client was aware he would be paying for time and any advice given. Both Andy Canadine and Craig Pakes gave really impressive performances in the development of their stage relationship which contained a great deal of violence and only a hint of it being gay. The set was well designed and constructed; the costumes appropriate for the time in which the production was set. This well-crafted play appears to have been a most appropriate choice since it played to large audiences. Well done cast and crew.

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