Murder In The Dark – Review

As we approach the colder months and the darker nights set in, the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham has a production that will have you on the edge of your seats until the final chilling twist…

Murder In The Dark is a spine-chilling ghost story turned psychological thriller. This is a world premier from the acclaimed writer Torben Betts, directed by Philip Franks.

It’s New Year’s Eve when a car crash on a deserted road brings famous but troubled singer Danny Sierra and his dysfunctional family to an isolated holiday cottage in rural England. But from the moment they arrive a sequence of unexplainable events begins to occur, the lights go out, the tension rises, and deeply buried secrets come to the surface. Nothing is as it seems. There are so many twists and unexpected turns.

The thriller stars TV and stage favourites Tom Chambers (Holby City, Casualty, Waterloo Road, Father Brown, and Strictly Come Dancing champion). He plays the role of Danny Sierra with charisma and vulnerability. Susie Blake (Victoria Wood’s As Seen on TV) plays the role of Mrs Bateman balancing a role of humour and mystery, delivering some comedic deadpan one-liners. While Rebecca Charles (The Dresser), Jonny Green (It’s a Sin), Owen Oakeshott (Witness for the Prosecution) and Laura White (Doctors) deliver captivating performances. They are a strong ensemble, delivering worthy performances. Their on-stage chemistry and their ability to convey the rising tension within the story is very organic.

This brilliant piece is produced by the award-winning Original Theatre who brought you the pulse-racing hit The Mirror Crack’d by Agatha Christie, Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art, the smash-hit comedy Invincible and the acclaimed Birdsong.

There is so much attention to detail in the set design, that the isolated holiday cottage in rural England is brought to life. From the ugly, dated furniture, to the spooky well, it's almost as if the cottage becomes a character in its own right, harbouring ghostly secrets. The use of lighting adds to this atmosphere with many dimly lit scenes creating a shadow effect which intensifies the scenes all that much more. Director Philip Franks’ affinity for horror is evident in every aspect of the production.

This is a must-see show for anybody seeking an evening of supernatural intrigue, and suspense alongside a little sprinkle of comedy. It's a great night out and a show worth watching with some jump-out-of-your-seat moments.

Murder In The Dark is on at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham until Saturday 11th November 2023. Tickets are available at the following link https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/murder-in-the-dark/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/