Sleuth at Alhambra Theatre Bradford Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Dottie Rood
So, what is the meaning of ‘Sleuth’? Well, it can be, “A person who investigates crimes” or to “Carry out a careful investigation into a crime or a mystery”. Our play explores both these ideas to produce a watchable thriller using intrigue and gamesmanship were nothing turns out quite like you think it’s going to!
The play starts (Act one) in Andrew Wykes’s (played by Todd Boyce) country home in Wiltshire (the setting for Sleuth is based on a house in Athelhampton, near Dorchester) on a summers evening. Andrew is obviously a man of money, dressed in a ‘smoking’ jacket drinking ‘scotch’ surrounded by luxurious furniture and ornaments. He ‘sets the scene’ so we know he’s a writer of detective novels and a game ‘aficionado’ he does this by reading his latest novel out loud and making comments on what he would do in some of the circumstances he had written about. The doorbell rings and in enters Milo Tindle (played by Neil McDermott) who, after conversations and hints, we learn is Andrew’s wife, Margarite’s, lover! Milo is obviously middle class with limited finances so when suggestions are made by Andrew on how he might be able to make some money to keep her in ‘the luxury’ she is used to his ears prick up. Andrew seems keen to rid himself of a troublesome wife and Milo is besotted and ready to do anything to marry his lover, the plot thickens, literally! As the two actors embark on a sometimes farcical but very well portrayed series of events that kept the audience entertained and enthralled. This continued in the second act which was still in Andrew Wykes’s living room but two days later.
It is hard to review this play without giving the plot away but it would ruin it for the potential audience if I told you to much of the plot so I will try and give you ideas of what happens without giving too much away!
Both men are in the play throughout and use many different dialects to enjoy the ‘games’ (mostly mind games but some physical ‘trickery’ is involved as well) that they play on each other. It is essentially a game of ‘one up man ship’, where they are both trying to outdo each other whilst having fun and using cunning to their advantage. It is essentially a ‘thriller’ with murder (and mayhem) in abundance, sometimes with humour and often with lots of innuendos and double meanings.
Sleuth is at the Alhambra theatre in Bradford until Saturday 16th March 2024 and has been touring the U.K since 31st January 2024. The Alhambra is a lovely theatre that has good views from most seats, lovely bar areas and affordable drinks and snacks.
Sleuth is a Bill Kenwright Ltd production and was written by Anthony Shaffer in 1970 and directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, it has been a stage thriller in both London and New York and won a Tony award for best play. It inspired the hugely successful film, of the same name, starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine (1972) and there is also a DVD with Michael Caine and Jude Law (2007).
Both Todd Boyce and Neil McDermott were really good in their portrayal of Andrew Wyke and Milo Tindle keeping us entertained throughout.
Rating: 4/5
https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/sleuth
Tickets cost £20.75 to £40.75 plus £2.50 booking fee and £1.50 postal fee if applicable.
Sleuth is on at the Alhambra theatre from Thursday 14th March to Saturday 16th March.
For more information or to book tickets go to www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274432000
Alhambra Theatre Morley Street Bradford BD71AJ