Sleuth

         The play is set in Wiltshire, in the remote mansion of wealthy, lord of the manor, Andrew Wyke (Alan Kennedy). Wyke loves to devise brain games, and through these the plots of his successful detective mysteries. Wyke has just finished his latest book when the doorbell rings; it is his wife, Marguerite’s, lover Milo Tindle (Alex Jones) the impecunious owner of a travel agency.

       Wyke explains his wife’s propensity to spend money, and would therefore like to ensure her future security, by suggesting Tindle make a quick financial gain by defrauding an insurance company. 

        Why should Wyke wish to help Tindle? Will the idea work?

Apart from the solid but quirky, performance of the niggling, yokelish, Inspector Doppler (James Alan Brown) and the brief ‘walk on’ parts of his police colleagues (Johnathan Turban and Daniel Langlands), this play is essentially a dialogue between Wyke and Tindle. Therefore, the whole strength of the play relies on these two performances. Alan Kennedy – nominated for best actor at the 2007 and 2008 Finley Awards – proves that his two nominations were not merely a flash in the pan; he captures the arrogant, manipulating and devious Wyke to a tee. The performance from Alex Jones (best actor, 2008 Finley Awards) was equally brilliant, as a man very much in love, but on guard when faced with the bon-ami approach of his girlfriend’s husband.

Incidentally, Shaffer said the character of Wyke was inspired by his friend, composer Stephen Sondheim, who has an intense interest in playing tricks.

This is one of the few ‘totally complete’ plays that I have seen. The acting was amazing, the lighting and tech work clever and operated with split second precision, the set – on two levels – of extremely high quality, the costumes fun and accurate and by no means least, the directing was first class. Award winning director Dannielle Ashton slowly built up the tension and suspense, whilst keeping the stage filled with movement and interest. Truly a 5-star play, practically faultless. Can’t wait for the Finleys.