Murder Weapon

 

Murder Weapon is the last of the four plays in The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2014; an event that has become part of the fabric of the programme offered by the Theatre Royal since it began twenty five years ago! Judging by the large audience and the enthusiastic ovation that the cast received during the curtain call the season has many more years to run. 

Murder Weapon was penned by Brian Clemens, who is best known as a prolific television writer who dominated the 1960s with scripts for ‘The Avengers,’ and later ‘The Professionals’ and ‘Bergerac’. Not surprisingly his writing for the stage is less well known, but includes plays ‘A Sting in the Tale’ and ‘Inside Job’ 

The Royal's production of Murder Weapon has the feel of an Agatha Christie, being text driven, performed in a single box set, and viewed front-on through a proscenium arch. The fact that the piece includes some scenes performed as flashbacks is the only clue that it is of more recent origin, being first performed in 2013. If you like your theatre very traditional then this may well be your cup of tea: however I cannot help observe that some more adventurous theatregoers may find it distinctly old fashioned. 

Jeremy Lloyd Thomas gives a good performance as the central protagonist, Charlie Mirren.  It's a real challenge to portray such a vulnerable character with whom the audience can empathise, and he is ably supported by Karen Henson (playing commanding officer Jessica Bligh). Unfortunately the dialogue between Bligh and her subordinate Inspector Fremont at times seems quite implausible, as he constantly interrupts her and questions her actions.

As in any murder mystery the plot is the most important element of the evening. While the speed with which each audience member picks up clues determines whether they find the mystery too easy, too obtuse, or just right, the shifts in time between the present and the flashback scenes certainly add an element of complication about where the drama is heading. But enough of plot, lest something is given away... 

The joy of live theatre is just that; it's live! At the performance attended, very early on there was a change in lighting state that was spectacularly late. Tut tut! On a more positive note a member of the cast used the wrong name at one point, and this was so smoothly and expertly covered up you would have almost thought it was scripted that way. It was a delight to see such dexterity. 

So, a ‘new’ thriller for fans of the genre to enjoy, although they should not expect anything cutting edge - a veiled reference to the ‘murder weapon’ perhaps? 

Murder Weapon is being performed at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham until 23 August 2014.