Deathtrap

Events were sinister at Monifieth Theatre where a writers lair spilled blood and intrigue. We were kept on the edge of our seats by the MAD cast and the interval can only be described as a frustrating pause anxiously wondering what was going to happen next. This was a thoroughly absorbing play excellently produced and well-acted.  When once-successful playwright Sidney Bruhl (Cliff Cuthbertson) sees his latest writing effort bomb on the stage, he struggles for inspiration for the success he once enjoyed until he receives a package from his former student Clifford Anderson (Euan Smith). Inside is an unproduced script that's better than anything Sidney has written in years. At the urging of his wife, Myra (Ann Sutherland), Sidney undertakes a plan to lure Clifford to his country home, murder him and then announce the script as his own work and from then the plot twists and turns with moments of tension laced with the humour and slightly off predictions from the nosey neighbour with extrasensory perception, Helga ten Dorp (Rhoda Burke) and the outspoken opinions of Solicitor Porter Milgrim (Steven Armstrong) who arrives to discuss the estate.

Sidney Bruhl was well played by Cliff Cuthbertson, Ann Sutherland gave a strong performance who brought the drama with her excellent facial expressions and actions. Clifford Anderson was brilliantly played by Euan Smith, very convincing and powerful throughout his performance. Rhoda Burke was energetic and humorous as flamboyantly dressed psychic with her exaggerated gestures and melodramatic comedic outbursts. Porter Milgrim was also convincingly portrayed by Steven Armstrong. 

Director, Nicky Stewart, did a first-class job with all the technical, and complicated stage directions. The whole of the play taking place on one impressive set so congratulations to all involved in its design and build. And thank you to all for a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Well done MAD.

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