MURDER IN THE DARK – Glasgow Pavilion Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Deb Mackenzie
Box B is where you want to be….. are you game?
Murder in the Dark at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre is the perfect setting for this ghost story/psychological thriller. One of the oldest theatres in Glasgow, the Pavilion opened in 1904 as a music hall. These beautifully decorative walls are seeped with history, filled with music and laugher, seen many a variety show and more.
Getting into the mood of spooky evening, many have reported strange and eerie goings on. A couple of these antidotes:
‘I’ve worked at the Pavilion for nearly 10 years, so I have a couple of spooky stories. There was a time my mum was performing on the stage in panto. She waved up to the lone person sitting in Box B; she thought it a bit strange that they never responded or why they would be alone. Later on, she found out that Box B hadn’t been sold that night.’
Another staff member adds; I don’t believe in ghosts, but a photographer from a local paper was trying to take a photo of someone in Box B and couldn’t. The images were just blurred. They eventually took the photo in Box A. Rather creepy….
Many a time music has been heard and have tried to figure out where it came from to no avail. Some staff members have heard footsteps behind them and even a hand on their shoulder.
Murder in the Dark is a guessing game, no not a parlour game, or one you play in the dark. It is full of twists and turns; each person has their own secrets which slowly get revealed. Some scarier than others, but you just know there is more.
On a cold wintry New Years eve night Danny, a successful popstar in by gone years and his girlfriend Sarah arrive at a remote English countryside cottage, after crashing the car – probably one too many drinks. Sarah is only interested if there is Wi-Fi; Danny is sweet talking Mrs Bateman not to report the accident. But she has kindly offered to put them up for the night.
A while later, Danny’s brother, his ex and his grown son arrive who have also been travelling with them. The cottage clearly has something wrong with its fuse box as the lights keep tripping. The night is filled with family secrets being revealed; and even the kind Mrs Bateman has a few in her closet.
Ok – that is it; I can’t tell you more as it is a secret you need to go find the answers to yourself!
The cast is excellent! Central performance from Tom Chambers as Danny, who is a complicated self-indulgent, it’s all about me type person. Constantly whining and blaming others for his neglectful treatment of his family, son, and girlfriend. Chambers swiftly switched from each mood without hesitation. Jonny Green as Jake (Danny’s son) gives a powerful performance; a young man who is resentful, angry and at times sensitive, wants his father’s approval but also pushing his away. Rebecca Charles as his ex-wife, is level-headed, overprotective of Jake, but hidden is secrets been hidden for years. Owen Oakshott as William, the caring, loving but equally angry brother, gives a very powerful performance as his life’s tale unravels. Sarah (Laura White) is young, beautiful yet ignored by Danny; seems only interested in having phone connection and Wi-Fi.
My favourite must be Susie Blake as Mrs Bateman. On the outside she is the kind old lady who has lived too many years alone; has a special craziness about her as she quotes scripture yet there is just something you can’t put your finger on. (Nope not telling!)
What a fun evening we had seeing this extremely scary, yet at times funny story unfold; but must admit that Torben Betts (writer) has a gift that take you down a winding path leading to somewhere different from the expected.
Glasgow Pavilion Theatre: 26th – 30th March 2024. (Age restriction 14+)
Buy tickets here: http://www.paviliontheatre.co.uk/shows/murder-in-the-dark/
Tickets: £15 – £43.20 (transaction fee up to £3.95 may be applied)
Rating: 4/5