Deathtrap

Ira Levin was a celebrated American novelist and playwright. “Deathtrap” had a successful run on the Broadway Stage and in 1982 was turned into a feature film starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.

Poulton Drama continue to present a wide range of Productions and this was a very interesting, different, genre to their last play.  As the audience took their seats, the stage was dimly lit and two actors  were already in place. The lights then revealed a well constructed and furnished set by Steven Robinson-Wright, depicting a study in Sidney Bruhl’s home in Westport, Conneticut in the early 1980’s. Congratulations on the sourcing of many old and dangerous looking weapons which were displayed on the wall of the set.

This was the first time I had seen this play and the publicity material was intriguing to me.

The talented and experienced Anthony Henry played the role of the once successful playwright Sidney Bruhl and he gave a convincing, powerful and gripping performance. Sidney had received a copy of a play, “ Deathtrap “ from a former student, Clifford Anderson and having fallen on hard times began to plan a scheme, along with his wife Myra, to claim the script as his own and then dispense with Anderson. Paul Wood gave an assured, persuasive performance, as the complex character Clifford Anderson.  Claire Hull Naylor as Myra Bruhl, on her recent return to the stage, brought out all the varying emotions of her character, with consummate skill.

Director, Nigel Robinson-Wright is to be congratulated on his excellent handling of a very intricate plot with many unexpected twists and turns, keeping the audience gripped throughout.All on stage played their roles with good pace and excellent projection and diction.

Whilst not giving the plot away, it is obvious that much rehearsal was required to make many of the “physical” scenes convincing. The cast certainly achieved the necessary end result.

I left the theatre with a great deal of respect for the high standard of performance achieved by this talented Company.  Thank you for making Jean and myself so welcome over the years. We will, of course, continue to support you at forthcoming productions.

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