The Nomads Theatre
homewhats on?nomesyoung nomadsbooking informationhistorycontact

Whats On Production Sleuth (2004)
16th December


News & Reviews
Stage Settings Seminar

BOX OFFICE: Amadeus

Prompt Corner

Congratulations David and Zoe!

Coming Soon: Noises Off

News & Reviews
Username:
Password:











Sleuth (2004)

Click to see a larger picture of Sleuth Directed By
Richard Seymour

Producer
Gayle Lafone
Production Type
Nomads Production

Production Location
Main Theatre


Genre: Thriller Turnout: 52%

User Rating: (4/5 with 4 votes)

Flier Summary:

“I understand you want to marry my wife.”

Ingenious deception abounds in this ever-popular and darkly comic tale of a crime-writer’s murderous games. A deadly chain of events that leaves bodies on the carpet, blood on the stairs and detectives at the door…

"Put the mask on, Milo…”


Description:

SLEUTH by Anthony Shaffer ~ a Director's Note

... 'a play' is what it says on the front cover of the script. More like 'a masterpiece' by Anthony Shaffer and, arguably, the best thriller ever written.

I first saw Sleuth five years ago at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre but only had vague recollections of the 1970's award-winnings film starring Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier.

I marvelled at the complexity of the plot and the detail of the set and tonight I hope you will see something in this production which inspired me to produce it on the amateur stage at this fantastic venue. Technically frustrating and a prop manager's headache, the Nomad theatre offers excellent facilities to stage such a complicated play. Being able to rehearse on a set whilst actually constructing it is an incredibly valuable advantage and a luxury that the Nomads enjoy, compareed with similar local venues.

Casting was never going to be easy with a plot like this one and I guarantee that you will see some virtuoso performances tonight, skilfully assisted by a small but well-experienced and faithful backstage team.

When designing the set I wanted to bring the action forward and involve the audience as much as possible. The theme is all about games-playing and I wanted to play games with the audience - with a set that's like a three-dimensional snakes and ladders board. I hope you enjoy the excitement this brings and I pay tribute to the Tuesday Crew who were able to share my vision and worked tirelessly to turn my dreams into reality.

And as a relative newcomer to the Nomads this production has taught me a lot about people management, let alone stage management...

Finally I would like to thank my long-suffering partner, Gayle Lafone, for enduring my theatrical lunacy and providing much-needed support in every way possible - not so much sharing the dream as living with the nightmare.


Sleuth has all the ingredients of a first class thriller – full of fiendishly funny twists and turns, suspense and excitement galore - and a staggering denouement that we guarantee you won’t see coming!

The original west-end production of what is arguably the best murder thriller ever written opened in 1970 and ran for 2,359 performances, and a celebrated film version followed two years later starring Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier.

Without giving too much away, it won't hurt you to know that rich and famous Andrew Wyke, middle-aged thriller writer to the gentry, invites young and thrusting businessman Milo Tindle to his mansion for a drink. There is something urgent to discuss: Milo's affair with Andrew's wife. Andrew is urbane, even cynical, about marriage, while Milo is passionate and sincere in his love for the older man's wife. Recognising this, Andrew suggests an unusual plan; a plan both dangerous and criminal. Milo's reaction starts a deadly chain of events that leaves bodies on the carpet, blood on the stairs and detectives at the door. It’s like playing Cluedo with Tom Stoppard.

Sleuth juggles a number of themes - deceit, jealousy, game playing, class war, British arrogance, xenophobia, and the humiliation of the outsider - and manages not to drop any of them. It’s a tricksy-twisty play full of surprises, and the rising climax of the second act is both tense and chilling.

"Play" is the operative word throughout: in the theatrical sense, in the game of strategy sense, in the recreational sense, even in the gambling sense. When Wyke admits near the end, "I just want someone to play with," the sentence is laden with threat, dread, longing, and defence.

All in all, a witty and engaging piece of theatre that will keep you guessing every step of the way…



Production Dates & Prices:
(Please note Booking Information)

 Date
Time
Members Price
Non-Members
Price
 
 Tuesday 22nd June 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
£8.25
 Wednesday 23rd June 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
£8.25
 Thursday 24th June 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
£8.25
 Friday 25th June 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
£8.25
 Saturday 26th June 2004
8:00pm
£8.00
£8.25


Cast: (in programme order)
Jerome Lagden ... Milo Tindle
David Hemsley-Brown ... Andrew Wyke
Robert Mayfield ... Detective Sergeant Tarrant
Graeme Jondel ... Detective Inspector Doppler
Liam McNulty ... Police Constable Higgs

Crew: (in programme order)
Richard Seymour ... Director
Gayle Lafone ... Producer
Pat Harper ... Stage Manager
Charles Hope ... Lighting Designer
Jill Evans ... Costume Design
Richard Seymour ... Set Design
David Payne ... Set Construction
Tom Thomas ... Set Construction
David Remeo ... Set Construction
Phillip Griffith ... Poster Design
Katie Harper ... ASM
Pat Harper ... Properties
Gayle Lafone ... Properties
Gayle Lafone ... Prompt
Richard Seymour ... Prompt
Gayle Lafone ... Make-Up Artist
Louise Hutchinson ... Make-Up Artist
Michael Bartlett ... Sound Design
Tim Williams ... Sound Design
Peter Magyar ... Sound Operator
Bill Pearson ... Publicity / Marketing
Richard Seymour ... Publicity / Marketing
Lauren Fantham ... Publicity / Marketing
Francis Pindar ... Publicity / Marketing
Richard Seymour ... Programme Design
Susan Pindar ... Box Office
Lauren Fantham ... Box Office
David Payne ... Set Design
Tom Thomas ... Set Construction
David Remeo ... Set Construction
Gordon Hilliker ... Set Construction
Penny Armitage ... Set Construction
Sarah Thomas ... Set Construction
Lisa Arnold ... Properties
Rob Fee ... ASM


Act1:
Scene 1 One Friday evening, late summer
Act2:
Scene 1 Sunday evening, two days later


Official Review:
Sleuth - the review
WARNING: SPOILER
Sleuth is a highly complex piece of theatre and the Nomads' production rose to its challenges admirably. Richard Seymour's direction was refreshingly dynamic, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as the characters alternated between the roles of persecutor and victim, as they participated in a series of "games" involving the psychological torture of each other. David Hemsley-Brown was utterly convincing as the self-satisfied author Andrew Wyke and Jerome Langden showed great versatility in his portrayal of both Milo Tindle and Detective Inspector Doppler. It was unfortunate that, despite attempts to alter his appearance and excellent vocal disguise, he was instantly recognisable as the same actor. This is one of the trickiest aspects of the play - how do you make an actor unrecognisable during the interval in such a way that he can return to his original character in front of the audience? Although the audience were not taken in by the appearance of Doppler, this did not spoil their enjoyment of the play. Watching Andrew Wyke's discomfiture from the comfortable position of omnipotent knowledge provided pleasure in itself.

Game playing is the central theme of the piece and Richard Seymour, Pat Harper and Gayle Lafone must be congratulated for the set design and finding so many authentic period games and toys for dressing. It is incredible that the Tuesday Crew managed to produce such a highly complex set in such a short period of time. Their dedication and hard work must be commended. Costume, lighting and sound all functioned to enhance the authenticity and quality of the production. The attention to detail on the costumes that were not worn but displayed briefly to the audience is particularly noteworthy.

This was a very slick and highly professional production and praise must go to all those involved for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.


Related News:
Jun 2004 Sleuth
Jun 2004 Sleuth Tickets!
Jun 2004 BOX OFFICE...
May 2004 SLEUTH
May 2004 SLEUTH -Who's doin' the `Whodunit'?
May 2004 SLEUTH Box Office ...
Feb 2004 Sleuth Auditions


Recommendations:
Sleuth [1972]
Sleuth [1972]


User Reviews:

No Online Reviews Found


Sponsors:
Bell and Colvill Saab
Curchods
F. Conissbee & Son
Gardiner & Associates
Horsley Dental Practice
MJ Noyes Ltd - Electrical Contractors
Ramada Guildford/Leatherhead Hotel
Spanna Ristorante Pizzeria Italiano
The Pink Garlic Tandoori Restaurant
TW White & Sons
West Horsley Motor Works Ltd


Errors and omissions on this page may be reported by pressing the button below where they will be examined and, if accepted, included in a future update.

Update





©2000-2003 Mantissa Computing Ltd - Terms of Use