York Theatre Royal – until 23rd September 2023
Reviewed by Janina Cairns
5*****
The age guidance for this play is 14+.
If you are not familiar with the York Theatre Royal, then you are missing a treat. It is over 250 years old and still a firm favourite of theatre goers.
Something that doesn’t happen often is this, they offered a special, post show discussion after the 7.30pm performance on Wednesday 20th September
Murder In The Dark is a psychological ghost story style thriller with humour. It is hard to describe this wonderful show without giving too much away (and spoilers here isn’t appropriate) but it is safe to say, the show takes you on a rabbit warren of plot twists. This play needs to keep the plot secret so as not to spoil it for those coming after – akin to The Mousetrap.
The play starts with Danny Sierra (played by TV and Stage’s Tom Chambers) -a singer – and his dysfunctional family, his brother William (played by Owen Oakshott), his ex-wife Rebecca (played by Rebecca Charles), his son Jake (played by Jonny Green) and Danny’s girlfriend Sarah (played by Laura White).
Having to seek refuge from the weather in a run-down holiday cottage on a farm after being rescued after the crash on the way back towards London after a funeral. Their rescuer is the owner of the farm, Mrs Bateman (played by TV and Stage legend Susie Blake). The stage set for this play is very simple but effective. It is all set within the holiday cottage with an occasional set change for the outside toilet area.
The family are told that the weather has worsened, and it is clear they are stuck for the night as no taxis would be able to get to them and even if they did, no trains were running.
None of them are happy of course. It is New Year’s Eve, and they have places to be. The first half of the play really sets the scene for what is to come, giving us an insight into the dynamic of the group and feeling the tension build between the characters.
The second half of the show really ramps up the tension, with twists, revelation of secrets, some more twists. A real rollercoaster of what is going to happen next. If I am truly honest, I didn’t guess the ending here and that is all down to the brilliant writing of Torben Betts and his creation of this wonderful play.
There was humour all the way through the play and Mrs Bateman’s character is absolutely brilliant. She has us laughing out loud as she takes the cast and the audience with her on her own little mad ramblings. For me, she stole the show but the writing and deliverance of the lines she was given was absolute genius. Well done again to Torben Betts for his writing.
Finally, if you enjoy a good spooky story, you will not be disappointed, but it is also for those who aren’t a ghost story style fan because you will have just as much fun as the humour is more than worth it.