IRA LEVIN'S DEATHTRAP
The Lace Market theatre until Saturday 8 February 2014

This is the first time that I've seen "Deathtrap" by Ira Levin, described as the Stephen King of the 60's and 70's and I can see the comparison in this excellent thriller performed at the Lace Market all this week.

It's the story of a thriller writer, Sidney Bruhl, who is suffering from writer's block when a student, Clifford Anderson, who he met at a convention asks his advice on a new thriller that he is writing. He decides that this is the sort of story to catapult him into the spotlight and solve all of his money worries. Bruhl's wife Myra has reservations about the turn of mood shown by Sidney and tries to convince him that maybe a collaboration may the way forward for Bruhl and young Anderson.

Bruhl invites Anderson over to chat about the collaboration, but Bruhl is greedy and doesn't want to share and things take rather a violent turn for Anderson. But this isn't the only turn, as there are many turns and twists to come in this very entertaining comedy thriller.

Robert Suttie is excellent as the scheming scriptwriter Bruhl, Judie Matthews makes her debut as Myra and also making his debut is Edward P Crook who is brilliant as the young writer, Clifford Anderson. Carol Parkinson plays the wonderful wacky psychic Helga Van Dorp. who also is not quite as she seems by the end of the play, and finally Steve Mitchell plays Bruhl's legal man Porter Milgram.

We see three murders but is there a fourth and who is the last one standing, well that's for you to come along and work out.

This may be the best thing that I've seen at The Lace Market and highlights the work of the Director, Bob Wildgust, who has been around the theatre for a good few years, and with this as a shining example of his work, I'm hoping he'll be around for a long time to come.

The sound and lighting effects create the eerie atmosphere, so pats on the back for Simon carter and Rose Dudley respectively and what a marvellous set as well, designed by Keith Parkinson.

If you like a play that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you jump now and again, then this is the one for you. Excellent show!