Rebus: A Game Called Malice at Lighthouse Poole Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Mel S-W
So, this is going to be an interesting one! Sir Ian Rankin is a well-known thriller writer and this play is a brand new story, but what makes this stand is that it has not been released as a book but has been released solely for the stage. It’s new, it’s fresh and like so many new plays, you can keep the secret safe at the end. Rebus: A Game Called Malice comes after a long line of books, 25 in total, which follow Detective John Rebus. Twists, tales and intrigue are dotted throughout.
The set features a splendid dining room in a stately Edinburgh manor. The room is opulent with paintings galore and the wine and whiskey are flowing throughout the first half. The hostess, Harriett has invited her guests around to enjoy a splendid dinner party, and to embark upon solving the murder mystery game that she has written. The dinner party brings together friends and acquaintances but the retired Detective John Rebus is an unexpected plus 1 from Harriet’s best friend Stephanie. When a body is found, Rebus reverts back into Detective mode in what feels like a nod to The Inspector Calls.
The staging didn’t change throughout but the team used lighting and sound to create suspense. The curtain was up at the beginning with the start of the play indicated by a loud drum beat and the stage being plunged into darkness. At points throughout the show tonight, audible gasps were heard throughout the audience. There were times when Rebus would talk to the audience, share his theories and the rest if the stage was plunged into diffused lighting, the remaining characters on stage moving in slow motion as if Rebus had pressed pause so that he could get his thoughts out.
I’ve never read a Sir Ian Rankin thriller novel but being a lover of crime fiction they are now on the top of my list. Throughout the play, you are analysing what has been said, what has been done, but more importantly what hasn’t been said. Does it matter that people have left the room multiple times or are there holes in someone’s story. Oh the suspense!!!
The play definitely lives up to the advertisement of “suspects, clues and danger with every twist and turn – and a shocking discovery will send this game called ‘Malice’ hurtling towards a gasp-inducing conclusion.” I really enjoyed the cast, they were so professional and skilled, especially Gray O’Brien who took the lead as Rebus (known for roles in Coronation Street, Peak Practice, Casualty), Abigail Thaw (Endeavour) who played Rebus’ friend, lawyer Stephanie who had suspicions and invited Rebus to the dinner party to help confirm a different situation and Billy Hartman (Terry Woods from Emmerdale) as Jack.
The show 2 hours including the interval Rebus, A Game Called Malice is at the Lighthouse until Saturday 30th November so there’s even more chances to see the show, three matinées and four evening shows.
I really enjoyed the show, I love a “who done it” and it’s definitely something to get the cogs turning. During the interval, I must admit … there were loads of different theories going through my head and I wasn’t far off of it. I don’t want to give away the ending so I will say no more but if you love a good old fashioned mystery, this one’s for you.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets start from £25 and can be purchased through the following link https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/rebus-a-game-called-malice/ The show is at Lighthouse until Saturday 30th November so there’s plenty of opportunity to go and watch it.
Visit their What’s On Guide here.
The full address is Lighthouse, Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG