"Murderous Liaisons" by Brian Clemens.
The third of four in the latest Colin McIntryre's Thriller Season is set on Spain’s Costa del Sol in the 1980's. Professional safe-cracker Larry has struck it lucky. Gorgeous Suzy picks Larry up at a beach bar asks him to steal the diamonds from her husband Alex’s safe and run away with her to Rio. At the same time Alex also employs Larry to murder Suzy for her life insurance policy. When Larry tells Suzy about her husband’s plans, deceit, double-crossing and dastardly murder plans ensue.
Brian Clemens is well known for writing the TV series "The Avengers", but I've seen enough of his stage plays to know that his twists are enough to make Chubby Checker dizzy! 
Larry is played by Pavan Maru, his last outing for the Thriller Season for this year, but hopefully will be back with Tabs Productions in 2024. Each character Pavan has played has been completely different and this is his darkest character yet. The previous two have been like tasters of his acting skills, and here, his character is on a par with the other two in this play. Pavan plays a very confident safe cracker who has an eye for the ladies, and has the spiel to match. But there's a lot more behind Larry than what we first see; just how greedy is he, and will he be swayed by diamonds and money or the long-legged, curvy Suzy and Rio?
Suzy is played by Lara Lemon. As with Pavan, we see a completely different side to Lara's acting when she plays Suzy. We also see a lot more of Lara than in previous productions as well! Will she get her way and have her new life with Larry in Rio with Alex's diamonds, or will Larry do as Alex asks? In the first act there's also a hint that someone else may beat Larry and Alex to the job! Or is this just a coincidental fluke? I've said it before but with just a wig and different make up, a person can become quite unrecognisable - Sarah Wynne Kordas in the first of this year's plays - and Suzy was completely unrecognisable tonight with those 80's heels and that Whitney wig, and she gets to wear some great costumes as well.
Alex is played by Jeremy Lloyd Thomas. He's a bad one; he likes a drink and he likes to lash out with his fists, Alex, not Jeremy. He also likes diamonds! But like the other two characters, he is not all that he seems and has connections! Jeremy is one of those actors who can fall into any character and this week's is a complete contrast to last week's, and the thing is, you completely buy into the characters due to that tremendous acting skill. Jeremy also never seems to age!
Directed by Karen Henson, who can create any feeling that she wants you to feel from the stage. The tension in parts of this thriller are almost too much to bear, and when it comes to bringing in the twists, they come like a slap in the face.
The Set Design by Conal Walsh, assisted by Sarah Wynne Kordas and Duncan Hands, straight away places you in the 80's and with the Mediterranean oranges, and not just the ones in the bowl, you know that you are somewhere in Spain. The big leaved plants, decorations, furniture and paintings also leave you in no doubt of the era and area. A comfortably, colourful Casa, con su permiso!
Lighting Design is by Michael Donoghue, and, without giving too much away, I can say that along with the varied light settings for the apartment, there are also a couple of explosions of light that tell a story of events not too far from the property. As usual, a great light design throughout.
The Sound Design by David Gilbrook matches the lighting in excellence, once more with the spacial awareness of the sound effects painting another picture of the world outside the four walls we see on stage.
The costumes by Geoff Gilder place you right in the 1980's, especially with those for Suzy.
I don't think I've ever mentioned the stage management in the Thriller Seasons and I should really because they never fail to make sure that the sets are just perfect for the set's reappearance of the scenes for the acts. Everything is in just the right place; it's like watching a television scene with perfect continuity it's that smooth. Making this magic happen are Fran Buxey, Alison Willcox and Juliette Strobel.
"Murderous Liaisons", or "Inside Job", is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 19 August, and is one not to be missed for pure entertainment value and thrills.
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