“Deathtrap”, the slick comic thriller by Ira Levin, is currently is playing at The Apollo Theatre in Newport. Fans of mystery and dark premises will be very satisfied with what Steve Reading and the cast has put together.

Based on the record selling Broadway play and the 1982 film starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve, the 5 actor, one set play tells the tale of one Sidney Bruhl. Sidney is a has-been playwright, who has agreed to work with a young and upcoming dramatist named Clifford Anderson, who has sent him a superb first draft for a sure fire hit with audiences guaranteed to rebuild reputations and rake in the cash.

What follows are twists and turns, some genuinely unexpected moments, dark laughs, and even lament and tragedy. There is also a play-within a play dynamic that adds a nervy feeling of an audience wanting to know how this is going to resolve!,

Tackling the many faces this play, and indeed the characters have, is no easy thing. Thankfully the cast assembled pulled it off with competence and skill.

Jason Harris has a history of playing layered and multi faceted characters, and ably fitted playing Sidney, showing the innermost thoughts of a questionable character with just a straying glance to the weapon wall. 

Ginny Orrey made a small part memorable with the scenes they both shared and Ian Moth, another Apollo veteran and safe pair of hands on stage, filled out the support cast well.

The real highlight came from a fiery Chris Walsh as Clifford. He added much needed energy at certain parts, and his scenes with Jason fizzed with tension of many kinds. A great casting choice, likewise Maggie Cardew played the quirky and enjoyably eccentric Helga Ten Drop, and also helped to stop an over 2 hour long thriller feeling too strung out.

On that note, when the tense Hitchcock thriller like atmosphere was set with some neat tech and lighting. Without giving away plot details, I do think they missed a trick not highlighting more of the homoeroticism which allegedly cost the 1982 movie £10million dollars of box office, and some more work needed to be done on accents. It did come across as a very British part of Connecticut.

All in all though. The Apollo has managed to add another successful play to its season. The play clearly has an audience as it played to a nearly full house. The show was much like the perfect crime. Neat, clean and efficient.

Definitely a recommend for anyone looking for something a little chilling and edgy this Easter.

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Reviewed by Olly Fry