Rebus: A Game Called Malice At Edinburgh Festival Theatre

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Lynsey

Written by Ian Rankin and Simon Reade, the play brings the iconic character of Rebus—made famous by the long-running Scottish detective series—back into the spotlight. Rebus has retired from the police force and finds himself at a murder mystery dinner party. The play is based around six guests gathered at a dinner table, each with their own secrets, quirks, and questionable motives.

The night takes an unpleasant turn when, midway through the evening, a body is found which appears to have been murdered similarly to the plot of the game they had been playing. As accusations start flying, and secrets are exposed, you quickly realise that this dinner party is not just a casual get-together but a pressure cooker waiting to explode. In true Rebus fashion, he’s sharp, to the point, and dripping with sarcasm—exactly what you’d expect from the no-nonsense detective we’ve come to know from the TV series.

Gray O’Brien is excellent as Rebus with his dry humour and perfectly timed one-liners. His exchanges with the other guests, especially as the night starts to unravel, are laced with just the right amount of cynicism and wit.

The rest of the cast delivers solid performances as well. The wealthier characters—especially the wife and her lying husband—do a great job of portraying the cracks in their marriage as the night wears on. The lawyer, on the other hand, adds an intellectual edge to the evening, questioning motives and pointing out legal loopholes that, at times, even Rebus seems impressed by. The dodgy casino owner and his girlfriend bring an interesting dynamic, one where age, wealth, and status all collide in an uncomfortable but captivating way.

The stage design is simple but effective. Designed to resemble a wealthy home, with an impressive art collection hanging on the walls, it sets the scene of an elegant space. The costume design is also simple but seems intentional and fitting for each character.

The Festival Theatre is perfectly suited for a modern drama. It is well maintained, clean and very spacious. With a few bars to choose it provides a nice space to socialise before and during the interval of the show. It also has a café on the ground floor where you can grab a coffee and a small bite to eat beforehand. Being in the city centre it also has an array of bars and restaurants around it for pre and post show drinks and food. It is easily accessible by public transport and is surrounded by on street parking however spaces close by can at times be difficult to find. There is also plenty of friendly staff on hand to help.

Not quite what I expected, it didn’t have the same grit as the TV series, but overall, it was an enjoyable evening. The production was light-hearted, with plenty of laughs so I would recommend it to anyone looking for something that combines mystery with a dash of humour. I’d give this classic whodunit a 4 out of 5.

Rating: 4/5

https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/rebus-a-game-called-malice/2339

Wed 11 to Sat 14 Sep 2024  Evenings 7.30pm | Matinees 2.30pm  Tickets £25 upwards