Deathtrap

I could write pages explaining the plot of Deathtrap but suffice to say it thrills, chills, characters disappear, re-appear when you least expect it and made the lady next to me jump with surprise.

Sidney Bruhl, a writer, is sitting in his study, scattered behind him is a weapon-laden wall of handcuffs, daggers, pistols and a crossbow. Sidney has writer’s block but he is perusing a new script for Deathtrap written by an ex student, Clifford Anderson. He invites Clifford to come and discuss his work, then, kills him while his wife Myra looks on. Or does he?  We, the audience, are led in a circle of self-reference in which the play we are watching appears to be the play within that play. There’s a clever twist in the first half but the plot gets increasingly strange.

Sidney Bruhl was played superbly (despite the lapse of American accent at times) by Matt Penfold, he managed to convince us that Sidney had lost touch with reality after years of fiction writing. Tate Birch as the young writer Clifford Anderson, was perfectly matched with Matt. Tate did have an embarrassing moment when the handcuffs he was supposedly not able to get out of, came undone, but we will overlook that! However, an impressive performance from both. Fiona Young, as Sidney’s wife Myra, created an excellent contrast to her husband. Then we have the comedic element with the psychic Helga Ten Dorp. Emmie Rhodes’ portrayal was energetic and humorous with her exaggerated gestures and melodramatic outbursts and some funny moments, although I would have liked to have seen her dressed more flamboyantly to match her character. Finally we have Neil Harris as Porter Milgrim, the lawyer who, together with Helga, think that with all the events that have taken place, it would make an excellent play!

This play is highly enjoyable and guides you through a plot that has many twists, turns and revelations. It is also funny but at the same time, a thriller, which holds the audiences’ attention but this would not be achievable without the excellent direction of Chris Howland and an extremely talented cast and crew.  

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