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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… |
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