NOEL COWARD THEATRE

Creating the perfect murder mystery is not an easy task. Deathtraps plot follows Sidney playwright Sidney Bruhl, it has been 10 years since his last hit and desperate times call for desperate measures. When Clifford Anderson, an unknown playwright sends Sidney Bruhl a script to die for, the playwright sees a lethal opportunity.

The Deathtrap programme clearly instructs the audience to keep the plot mum. I will therefore only advise you that in order to solve this mystery you'll have to stay alert to follow the motivation of the characters. A plot with so many twists and turns is bound to stump even the Sherlock's and Cluedo fanatics among you. Do take some rope to tie yourself to your seat if you'd prefer not to be taken by surprise.

Matthew Warchus tightly directs the 5 character thriller. Simon Beale dazzles the audience with his wit and humor. While the handsome Glee heart-throb Jonathan Groff plays Clifford Anderson with amiable charm. Estelle Parson and Claire Skinner give good performances but do not fare as well as Beale and Groff.

Laughter and thrill are two theatrical ingredients difficult to combine. Seldom does one find such a skilful blending of the two resulting in a nail biting, gasp inducing, ingeniously clever and hilariously twisted production.

Rob Howell has created a fetching set; the wooden beamed writers den is aptly covered with an extensive collection of antique and modern weaponry. However it is the playwrights typewriter that proves to be the mightiest weapon of them all!