Deathtrap

“Deathtrap” is an excellently written play about two writers who collaborate to produce a murder thriller plot. Or is it? Maybe it is a murder thriller written by Ira Levin and the action of the play enfolds before us. Whichever it is, it is in the mindset of the audience member to work out what is real and what is being set. This excellent playwriting was equalled by five accomplished actors, all of whom acted their parts with absolute aplomb.

The first playwright Sidney Bruhl (Guy Steddon), had not had a successful acceptance for a script for many years and is being subsidised by his wife’s wealth. This man’s serious but calculating nature was portrayed by Guy most effectively  throughout as the evil and greed took over his persona.

The devoted wife, Myra Bruhl (Anna Quick), sympathetically played the faithful and obedient spouse up to the point when she realised he could become a murderer, by when it was too late as her demise had already been carefully planned by him.

Clifford Anderson (Jake Marchant), formerly one of Sidney’s students, coped with ease the large amount of dialogue that the part required with several twists and turns in temperament before the two of them receive retribution for the earlier crime.  

Helga ten Dorp (Susanne Crosby), the neighbour from hell and “Mystic Meg” of the production was creating problems for  the two writers as she was able to see their  actions through her psychic powers. She spoke in a convincing Germanic accent and provided the moments of humour in this dark tale.

Porter Milgrim (John Garland) was the solicitor who had no inkling of the intended murders and only became embroiled when Helga had spilt the beans to him. He also joined the bandwagon in the queue for the money.

The scene for the story was a Sidney’s study - complete with guns, swords, handcuffs and other deadly implements. It was a very well thought out set with the entries and exits in just the right places for the complicated actions sometimes required by the cast. The technical side, sound and lighting were most efficiently executed. Even the apposite opening music  (à la Murder She Wrote) pre-cursed the fact that that the evening would revolve around a murder plot.

Congratulations to all on stage and the whole production team. 

 

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