DEATHTRAP

The MILL at SONNING

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DEATHTRAP
by Ira Levin
Directed by Tam Williams

An exhilarating afternoon play after a fabulous meal at the gorgeous Mill at Sonning! Having seen neither the film nor any previous stage production of DEATHTRAP by Ira Levin (who also wrote Rosemary’s Baby, The Boys From Brazil, The Stepford Wives) I had no idea what to expect save that it would be ‘a thriller’.

It certainly made this reviewer (and the audience!) gasp, jump and unexpectedly laugh (!) more than once!!
Director Tam Williams has done a fantastic job in creating tension and atmosphere throughout ~ Dramatic set design from Michael Holt dominates, enhanced by atmospheric, ominous and perfectly judged sound & lighting by Graham Weymouth and Henry Horn.
An accomplished cast keep us all gripped as the many twists and turns of this suspenseful murder mystery unfold.

DEATHTRAP holds the record for the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway running for more than 4 years from Feb 1978-June 1982. It was nominated for four Tony Awards (including Best Play), has been frequently revived both in the US and the UK, and was also adapted into a film starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon in 1982.

The music before the play begins sets us firmly in the 1970’s and then brilliantly chosen musical interludes between each act pick up each ominous mood, enhancing the sense of impending doom throughout…

Antique axes, spears, knives and guns are displayed all over the walls of the home of once-successful crime playwright and college lecturer, Sidney Bruhl (Nick Waring). He shares his frustrations with nervous wife Myra (Emily Raymond) as he waits for a visit from student Clifford Anderson (George Watkins) who wants help with his own script.

BUT nothing is quite what it seems at all…

As alarming, implausible events unfold and surprise, this top-notch cast hold their shocked audience as emotions twist and turn. Nick Waring and George Watkins brilliantly keep us guessing and gasping at their (many) changes of persona. Both accomplished actors clearly relish every ‘gear’ change.
Emily Raymond gives a sympathetic portrayal of a genuinely shocked wife; Issy Van Randwyck is fabulous as eccentric psychic Helga ten Dorp and Philip Childs is perfect as observational lawyer Porter Milton.

DEATHTRAP kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. A fabulous 2 Act rollercoaster thriller (surprisingly comedic) performed at a cracking pace by a wonderful accomplished cast, complemented by a generous, delicious 2 course meal beforehand in gorgeous surroundings!
A perfect combination!

Reviewed by Catherine Françoise
17th February 2024

Production Photos ~ ANDREAS LAMBIS

DEATHTRAP Runs to 30th March http://www.millatsonning.com/

Tickets at…
http://www.millatsonning.com/
Mill at Sonning Theatre
Sonning Eye
Reading
RG4 6TY

CAST:

NICK WARING ~ SIDNEY BRUHL
London and West End theatre credits include: UNDER MILK WOOD, THE MOUSETRAP, DEMOCRACY, TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE, HAYFEVER, STAR QUALITY, TONIGHT AT 8.30, FRANK’S WILD YEARS, TRUMBO. He played Dorian Gray in PORTRAIT OF DORIAN GRAY and Caesar in ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA with Vanessa Redgrave.

GEORGE WATKINS ~ CLIFFORD ANDERSON
Theatre includes Salieri in AMADEUS (Northcott Theatre). Recent TV work includes playing Lord
Morrison in BRIDGERTON Season 2(Netflix ) and BBC1’s SILENT WITNESS, due for transmission in early 2024. Films include Universal’s THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR.

PHILIP CHILDS ~ PORTER MILGRIM
Recent theatre credits include: the 70th anniversary cast of THE MOUSETRAP (West End); ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES, THE MUSICAL (West End); Sting’s musical THE LAST SHIP (Toronto); LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (West End, New York & Los Angeles); PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (UK & International Tour); WICKED (West End).

EMILY RAYMOND ~ MYRA BRUHL
Theatre includes: LADIES IN LAVENDER (Frinton), KNEEBONE CADILLAC (Drum Theatre Plymouth), RICHARD III & ROMEO & JULIET (Shakespeare’s Rose York), REBECCA (Knee High Tour), ABIGAIL’S PARTY (Menier Chocolate Factory), THE HEIRESS (Mill at Sonning), KING LEAR, ROMEO AND JULIET, THE RIVALS, A COMEDY OF ERRORS, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, ZENOBIA, THE CHANGELING, A JOVIAL CREW, ALL’S WELL THAT END’S WELL, THE BEGGAR’S OPERA (all at the RSC).

ISSY VAN RANDWYCK ~ HELGA TEN DORP
Theatre includes DAZZLING DIVAS – writer and performer (Offie Award Nomination) and HayFever (Mill at Sonning); THE BOYFRIEND (Menier Chocolate Factory); ROUGH CROSSING (tour); ANYTHING THAT FLIES (Jermyn Street Theatre); THE GO BETWEEN (Aldwych Theatre); A FURTHER EDUCATION, RAVING and NO NAUGHTY BITS (Hampstead Theatre); CLOSER THAN EVER (Offie Award Nomination), ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (Offie Award Nomination).

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director ~ Tam Williams
Set Designer ~ Michael Holt
Costume Designer ~ Natalie Titchener
Lighting Designer ~ Graham Weymouth
Sound Design Technical Team at The Mill at Sonning
Fight Director ~Jonathan Leverett
Casting ~ Kate Plantin CDG

TAM WILLIAMS ~ DIRECTOR
Tam returns to The Mill having previously directed Twelfth Night, Still Life, Hayfever and Blithe Spirit.

THE MILL AT SONNING THEATRE
Set majestically on the banks of the River Thames, the Mill at Sonning Theatre is celebrating more than 40 years of entertainment.
Uniquely, as one of the only dinner theatres in the United Kingdom, it has gained unrivalled praise both nationally and internationally, winning awards such as the 2023 UK Theatre Award Winner for the Best Musical Production for GYPSY, and The Most Welcoming Theatre 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The intimate theatre seats 217. The elegant restaurant, separate from the theatre but within the premises, with views over the river Thames has the friendliest young staff of waiters and waitresses. A spinning waterwheel features in the gorgeous bar.

Only a short taxi journey from the Elizabeth Line (Reading Station or Twyford Station), The Mill at Sonning Theatre is the perfect day trip from London. A two-course meal, coffee and tea, and a beautiful programme are included in the price of the tickets.