Deathtrap
Image: Andrew McFarlane, Sophie Gregg, Timothy Dashwood, Georgina Symes (c) Helen White.
Deathtrap is a cheeky look at a thriller written in the same vein and around the time of Dial M for Murder (Hitchcock) and Witness for the Prosecution (Agatha Christie). It’s a cheeky wink at that style, a comedy thriller, a mix of dark comedy that’s popular now and the thriller part has plenty of twists and turns.
“Just like Witness the Prosecution had a massive twist right at the end, in a way that’s what happens in Deathtrap. It’s not obvious who dun nit, there’s multiple twists, it constantly rolls through,” explains Timothy Dashwood, who plays Clifford Anderson, the young wannabe playwright. The beauty of it is the audience will think they know exactly what’s happening and then that knowledge will disappear right underneath them, the floor will fall out and they’ll have to start working out everything again multiple times.”
The original Deathtrap (1978) is Broadway’s longest running comedy-thriller and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve starred in Deathtrap the movie in 1982. “It’s still the same script as the original but has a modern feel. The set is beautiful and the play has a modern chic 70’s feel, ”says Dashwood.
Deathtrap is presented by Eternity Playhouse in a recently converted church in Darlinghurst. “It’s for people who are ok with a little bit of death, there’s some violence, some alluded violence, violent weaponry, there could be some fake blood,” explains Dashwood.
10th April till 10 May, Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst, Adult $45/ Conc & Groups $38/ Under 30 (Tue-Thu) & Previews $30. www.darlinghursttheatre.com or 02 8356 9987
