The Mantrap at Nottingham Theatre Royal Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Review by Louise Edwards
The Mantrap is the concluding play in the Colin Mcintyre Classic Thriller Season 2026 at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal with Tabs Productions making their annual visit. The Mantrap is a modern adaptation written by Sean AIta of the classic 1960 French psychological comedy-thriller Piege pour un homme seul (Trap for a lonely man) by Robert Thomas. Aita retitled and updated the original story and moved the setting from an isolated chalet in the French alps to a remote holiday rental cottage in Cornwall.
Photo credit Tabs productions.
The stage is dark and the face of a man illuminated only to set the atmospheric, spooky scene. The lighting and set by Conal Walsh is excellent in building the tension and creating the suspense as the whole play takes place over one stormy November evening. We see the night sky go from sunset through to sunrise and the subtle mood lighting of lamps and off stage rooms is effective.
Pavan Maru plays Daniel Edwards who is desperately searching for his missing wife, Lizzie, who vanished following an argument. The Inspector played by John Goodrum arrives as it is now ten days into her disappearance and Edwards is anxious that something has been done to find her.
As the Inspector leaves Edwards is shocked to find a local vicar, Rev Susan Green played by Susan Earnshaw, knocking on the door and introducing a woman played by Sarah Wynne Kordas, who she claims to be missing Lizzie -supported by photos on her phone and a driving license in her maiden name. However, Daniel insists that she is an imposter who he has never seen before in his life. The woman dismisses Daniel’s protests claiming he struggles with his mental health and that this has happened before.
As the first half ends, we are all puzzled with who to believe!
Touching on themes such as digital identity theft, mobile phone evidence, domestic violence including reference to gaslighting and coercive control as well as the manipulation of the truth the original script is refreshed to create something contemporary and relevant.
As the plot thickens we learn that Lizzie is heir to a £3million fortune and Daniel is convinced this hoaxer is trying to swindle them out of the cash. When he has another visitor, played by Juliette Strobel, who has crashed her van into the gate of the cottage and just so happened to have seen him and his wife at a London pub a few weeks earlier he sees a potential witness to support his story. But will he be believed and will there be a few more twists to the tale?
Running for two hours and 20 minutes, including an interval this fast-paced thriller has plenty to keep the audience transfixed with lots of comedy mixed in to the intrigue. Directed by Karen Henson and produced by Duncan Hands, who have held the same roles for all of the productions in the season this is a fantastic end to another brilliant season.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £25.00 (booking fees may apply).
The Mantrap is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham until Saturday 29 August. For more information or to book tickets visit trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND