A thriller to die for

FADED GLORY: James Packman plays once successful playwright Sidney Bruhl in the Evolution Theatre Company production of Ira Levin’s thriller Deathtrap, while Elizabeth Boyce plays the wealthy wife Bruhl is financially dependent on. Picture supplied

More twists and turns than the Waioeka Gorge, is how artistic director Dinna Myers describes Evolution Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Ira Levin’s play Deathtrap.

“Deathtrap is a mystery thriller in the tradition of The Mousetrap,” says Myers of the play based on Agatha Christie’s thriller that has run continuously in London’s West End since 1952. Deathtrap on the other hand holds the record for the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway, and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play. But ever since The Mousetrap opened audiences have been asked not to give away the plot to those who haven’t seen the show.

Myers asks the same of audiences who go to see Deathtrap.

“We don’t want the audience knowing anything about the outcome when they walk in the door. When people have seen the play they are told they are co-conspirators and to keep it under their hats.”

But we can tell you this much:

“Sidney Bruhl is a playwright who wrote a play called The Murder Game 18 years earlier. It was a smash hit but three of four plays since have flopped. Then he receives a play in the mail from Clifford Anderson, a student who Sidney taught.”

Anderson has sent the manuscript to Bruhl for feedback.

“It’s the golden cow,” says Myers.

“The playwright’s play. Sidney jokes about how he would kill for a play like that. He tells Clifford to bring him the sole, original script.”

We’ll leave the Waioeka Gorge of a plot at that for now.

James Packman plays Bruhl in the Evolution Theatre Company production while Elizabeth Boyce is cast as his wealthy wife Myra, a nervous character with a bad heart. Budding playwright Clifford Anderson is played by Simon Marino.

After many years away from the stage Lawrence Mulligan made a fine comeback as the avuncular, world wearied Franciscan priest Friar Laurence in Unity’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Re-bitten by the acting bug he now plays Sydney’s attorney, Porter Milgrim in Deathtrap. Paula Hatten has taken on the role of Helga ten Dorp, the famous Dutch psychic whose intuitions are not always entirely correct.

To help her cast get the most out of their characters Myers has the actors do some homework.

“I’m big on backstory. I want to know what the actors’ characters wear; where they went to school; if they’re married, where they met. A history for themselves helps inform their performance and how they interact with other people.”

Despite the play’s many twists and turns it is not madcap, says Myers. It comes with startling surprises, dramatic reversals, and some shocking moments. As a one set, two act, five character play Deathtrap subtly references itself as a play within a play.

A playwright’s dream is to pen a single set, five character money-maker, says Myers.

“Deathtrap is a wonderful windup fiction machine with a few modest ambitions,” top film critic Roger Ebert once said of a movie version of the play.

“It wants to mislead us at every turn, confound all our expectations, and provide at least one moment when we levitate from our seats and come down screaming.”

Deathtrap, Evolution Theatre, 75 Disraeli Street, Friday July 26 — August 10. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances (7.30pm), Sunday (2pm). Adults $34, seniors $29 and youth $24. Bookings can be made online atwww.evolutiontheatre.org.nz/deathtrap