Deathtrap

Like La Bete (same director and designer), it’s one of the most hyped shows of the year, but again a terrific set and a couple of fine performances isn’t enough to plug the holes in mediocre material.

We don’t often see thrillers these days. Perhaps the genre has had its day? Woman in Black is still running after goodness knows how many years, but that’s probably due to the Mousetrap syndrome – something you have to do if you’re here. This is a comedy-thriller and it’s often funny and occasionally thrilling. It takes a long while to take off though and in the end it’s all much of a muchness. What might be seen as a ‘good night out’ for £25 on tour doesn’t really provide enough value for £50 in the West End.

Rob Howell’s converted New England stable is extraordinary with much detail (if you’re near enough). Simon Russell Beale does deliver another fine performance which is well matched by Jonathan Groff. On the acting front, though, the play is badly let down by a truly dreadful turn from Estelle Parsons which does much to dampen the impact of the final scene. 

‘Well, it’s a bit of fun’ as Rob Brydon’s Keith Barrett might say, but not a particularly satisfying evening in the theatre. Take it or leave it? Well, on balance I think I’d wished I’d left it.