Adapting plays for the stage can sometimes have mixed results and Rehearsal for Murder is one of these.
Written by Richard Levinson and William Link, writers of Murder She Wrote and Columbo, there are times when the plot seems to lose its way and become laboured partly due to the number of flashbacks, that work beautifully in television, but not always in theatre.
Even with the utmost concentration its difficult to establish links between the characters and the crime, and when the killer is finally unmasked their motive is a very flimsy one with little substance.
A play within a play, it centres around Alex Dennison, whose fiancé is found dead, presumed to have committed suicide after a bad opening night. One year on, Alex assembles the cast in the same theatre, for a reading of his new play. But as the reading progresses the plays similarities to the actual events become uncomfortable and a cat-and-mouse game to find the killer unfolds.
But what makes this thriller really work is its excellent cast. They all possess superb acting skills and are really believable in everything they do.
Hardly ever off stage, Alex Ferns (Alex Dennison) drives the production and keeps it all together. He’s sensitive yet calculating but never beyond suspicion.
Mark Wynter (David Matthews) a regular in murder mysteries, always gets just the right edge on his character and as the ageing lothario,he has it nailed to a tee.
Rehearsal for Murder is the first touring production for Bill Kenwright’s Classic Thriller Theatre Company – we look forward to his next offering.
Runs until 9 July.
Liz Coggins