Rope, Theatr Clwyd Review
Rope at Theatr Clwyd Production Image. Photo by Andrew ABWritten by Kay for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
Just a few years shy of being a century old, Rope is an old-school production that Theatr Clwyd’s latest adaptation has given a new lease of life. An old-fashioned murder mystery with philosophical ponderings and moments of hilarity, this is a must-see production.
Originally written in 1929 – and reported to have been based on the 1924 murder of Bobby Franks – Rope is a story that has been utilised in almost every media form. From the 1948 movie which starred James Stewart, to the 1983 BBC adaptation that starred Alan Rickman, Rope is a timeless classic. This latest version proves that it remains a thought-provoking and entertaining play.
Rope is set in an apartment and tells the story of two men who have murdered an acquaintance for ‘adventure’. The two students consider themselves to be intellectuals and believe that their superior intelligence allows them to commit the perfect crime. In a morbid celebration of the crime that they have committed, the men have organised a dinner party with several friends – and the victim’s father – included in the guest list. The core caveat is that the body of the victim is entombed in a chest in the centre of the festivities. Tension is added to the plot by one of the two killers, who is grappling with what they have done, he is scared that they’ve made a mistake and it’s apparent that he is somewhat of a liability.
The audience is aware of the crime from the beginning, with the two characters introducing the mentality of the plot in the opening scene. The room is black with the occasional flicker of a match and the outline of the students being the only visible offering.
That sense of tension and foreboding carries throughout the rest of the drama, with the underlying anticipation being that they are going to get caught. That said, the play is humorous from the get-go.
The comedic presence of Sabo, the butler, immediately adds a gaiety to the plot, with his engagement with the audience doing wonders to ease the discomfort that the audience feels. Then there’s Brandon, the charismatic killer whose playful presence is felt at every moment. While these two performances were stand-outs for me, it would be unfair to leave out the reminder, because this cast is perfection.
The casting is exemplary with every part being played exquisitely. The moments of hilarity feel natural and well-times, while the dramatic moments are heightened and nail-biting.
The passage of time is well choreographed, and this adaptation is a lesson in how to do physical theatre. For the most part, we only see one room of the apartment, but the sense of movement created through the characters helps to make everything feel realistic.
The staging was simple but effective, and the portrayal of the 1920s was done incredibly well considering the small number of props.
Everything about this production is incredible, regional theatre at its very best, with it all coming together to create a piece of theatre that captivates, entertains and leaves the audience with thought-provoking questions to carry home with them.
At Theatr Clwyd until 20 July.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
