______
24 July 2025
______
4****
______
It is very much something to celebrate; the establishing of a new repertory theatre company and season. Following a successful launch with three plays last summer, Gilroy Theatre has returned to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis for a five-week line-up with a company of twelve actors and three directors. The season kicks off with Ira Levin’s wonderfully fun and ingenious thriller, ‘Deathtrap’.
Nothing is quite what it seems as washed up writer, Sydney Bruhl, starts a collaboration with the up and coming talent of Clifford Anderson. Twist follows twist, laughs and shocks come in close proximity as Levin plays games with the audience; he is always one step ahead as the two writers attempt to outwit each other, with a local psychic overseeing their every move. The success of the play is totally understandable, it is gloriously entertaining. It is, however, a tough one to pull off; a wordy play which needs sharp pace and a cast full of confidence.
Director, Sue Gilroy, has gathered a fine group of performers and created plenty of humour and great tension in equal measure – the combination of the two is a heady mix and the reason for the success of the play. The shocks when they come are given full throttle (if I can use that word!) and induce gasps and hands to the mouths from the audience. Exactly as it should be.
The rustic, converted barn in which we see Sydney Bruhl’s study is well designed with a wonderful array of weaponry on the walls – some of which play and integral part of the plot. Lighting and sound throughout is very effective particularly in the closing stages as a storm rages and power is being lost – all part of building up a great atmosphere.
The central role of Bruhl is large and meaty and Neil James grabs the chance to play it with the firmest of grasps. In between the many lines, the character has a lot of stage business to undertake and the actor does this so very well. Confident, arrogant, vulnerable and charismatic – all Bruhl’s facets are there. Super work. Victoria Porter imbues Bruhl’s wife Myra with a feistiness which gives the character extra bite and personality and makes her storyline really strong. Both actors have a significant rapport which enhances the plot: this is also very much the case with Alex Ansdell as Clifford Anderson. This is a performance of great skill and guile; full of nuance and confidence; very impressive work from the actor. The role of the local ESP expert, Helga ten Dorp is a gift; donning a variety of voluminous outfits, Pamela Flanagan patently relishes her every appearance and plays it to the hilt; the laughs are plentiful amidst the clever writing by Levin. In the small but significant role of the lawyer, Porter Milgrim, Andrew Fettes is smart efficiency until….. well, let’s just say the twists last to the very end. This is top work from the cast, and the director has given them a sense of freedom which feels very natural.
A significant desk with a lockable drawer, just put the production slightly off kilter as there is patently no lock and in close proximity to the audience, the actors ‘inventing’ a keyhole just feels awkward. This is a small gripe in an otherwise very good production which the was lapped up by those in the auditorium.
Repertory Theatre is seeing something of a small revival around the country and with the long-running Sidmouth Season just 15 miles down the road, it is wonderful to witness local theatres being able to enjoy these play seasons. Long may it continue.
On the basis of ‘Deathtrap’, Gilroy Theatre have plenty of talent at hand to make for a really exciting season ahead.
Cast
Sydney Bruhl – Neil James
Myra Bruhl – Victoria Porter
Clifford Anderson – Alex Ansdell
Helga ten Dorp – Pamela Flanagan
Porter Milgrim – Andrew Fettes
Creatives
Writer – Ira Levin
Director – Su Gilroy
Lighting and Sound Design – Steve Miller
Set Design – Robert Sherwood
Stage Management – Tom Neill & Chloe Townshend
Production Assistant – Gary Fish
