Here the play’s director and newly appointed club Chair, Chris Howland, tells the Times what audiences will enjoy most about this dark and violent drama…
What is the play essentially about?
Ultimately, Deathtrap is about greed and murder. The plot centres around a couple who are not as wealthy as they’d like to be, so they seize an opportunity to make themselves financially secure for the rest of their lives. As with all thrillers, things are not what they seem, and there is a major twist in events. Throw in a couple of well-meaning visitors who unwittingly increase the tension, and the play develops into how evil someone could become.
As one of the characters asks: “Would you? Could you?” And we see that someone could and does, to terrifying and violent conclusions.
What appeals to you about this particular play?
I found it takes further twists and turns on the usual thriller format, and is much more about suspense and drama than your average ‘whodunit’. The added magical factor for me was trying to get the volume of weaponry used in a safe manner that was still thrilling for the audience to watch. Without giving too much away, the walls are adorned with guns and knives, maces and flails, swords and cutlasses – and even a crossbow!
What do you think audiences will enjoy most about it?
Well, I’m hoping they will enjoy the overall performances of the actors and the story we are telling. But the surprises and the twists will keep the audience on their toes!
With all thrillers there has to be every aspect of drama to thrill the senses, so there’s a wonderful mix of suspense, action, violence and humour.
The audience may also remember the 1982 film starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon.
Tell us a little bit about the actors you’ve picked for Deathtrap…
The cast is made up of Matt Penfold, Fiona Young, Tate Birch, Emmie Rhodes and Neil Harris. Matt and Fiona play a husband and wife and invite a young, would-be playwright (played by Tate) round to discuss collaborating together. Emmie has the unenviable task of playing the Dutch psychic Helga without trying to overplay the accent! And Neil plays the family friend and lawyer, Porter. Four of the five actors are members of Trinity Theatre Club.
What tricky elements were involved in staging this piece?
To be honest, it was fairly straightforward as most of the set is integral to the plot and you can’t deviate too much from it. But with this particular play there is the requirement of the set being covered with weapons – some working and some for display. And some of those working weapons are actually used in fight sequences. We are very fortunate that we have trained fight coordinators within the club to help ensure that everyone stays safe but that it looks as realistic as possible. There’s nothing more thrilling than the sound of an audience gasping!
What do you enjoy about directing in general?
It’s the challenge of taking an existing piece that someone else has written and being creative with how the play should be staged and produced.
The rehearsal period is the manifestation of months of pre-work and meetings with all the backstage teams to create what we feel is the best for the production.
Also, I enjoy the chance to work with some incredibly talented people and see how they use their skills to bring the characters to life.
What plans do you have for further Trinity Theatre Club productions in the near future?
I will be working on the production team for Private Lives, taking place this summer, and also on Macbeth, which we are staging in October. Hopefully, I will also audition for the ‘Scottish play’.
I’m honoured to be the new Chair of the club and that will take up a fair amount of my time.
Deathtrap will be on at Trinity Theatre from Tuesday February 25 to Saturday February 29, with matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office in person, by phone on 01892 678678, or via the website trinitytheatre.net
Following Deathtrap, Trinity Theatre Club’s 2020 season will see productions of Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing coming in May, Noël Coward’s Private Lives in July, and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in October.
