★★★

“interesting and witty”

The Business of Murder by Richard Harris returns to the stage at the Theatre at The Tabard this month. A play in which the genre could be described as a murder mystery or more like an ‘is there a murder?’ mystery.

The action takes place in the main character, Stone’s, living room of his one bed flat. Designed by Lily Minores and Rob McKinley, the naturalistic set consisted of a two person sofa, an armchair, a small kitchenette area, a little TV and a mysteriously large locked box amongst other items. There was a distinct 80s flavour to them, making the iconography aware audience know that the show was firmly set in that decade. Stone (Miles Gallant) has invited local Police Detective Hallet (Gary Webster) over to discuss his troublesome son, who is nowhere to be found. Hallet leaves, promising to later return, and we soon see Stone then invite local True Crime writer Dee (Charlotte Hunter) to meet his wife. Yet the audience knows Stone’s wife is dead. So why the rouse? The entrapment that follows is the crux of the play which fulfils Act Two, with some interesting reveals that sadly felt they were unveiled too early to sustain the excitement of the story.

The performances were stellar throughout, with every actor showing great detail and focus. Director Nick Bromley is clearly aware of the effect the intimate staging has on said performances – with the style being heavily naturalistic with elements of melodrama when needed. The use of space was one of the greatest drivers of action in this text heavy show, with the actors constantly moving and pacing and exploring the stage. This gladly meant the action never lulled. The stand out performance for me was Gary Webster’s Hallet, who delivers many witty quips as well as leading all the audience questions. Not only was his character charming and funny, but he also didn’t shy away from the ugliness of this self righteous and unapologetic man.

The show was mainly performed in a warm general wash (lighting by Nat Green) without the assistance of any music. I think this fitted well with the naturalistic setting of the piece and allowed the audience to really tune in with what was being said on stage.

Overall The Business of Murder was interesting and witty, let down by the second act’s length and its over explaining of plot reveals

THE RIVER at the Greenwich Theatre

★★★

“each actor was incredibly committed and the chemistry between them was fantastic”

Jez Butterworth’s The River returns to London at the Greenwich Theatre. A play about a man who takes his girlfriends to a lovely country cabin by a river. Yet he is seemingly haunted by … something?

The show begins with a scene featuring The Man (Paul McGann) and The Woman (Amanda Ryan). They share romantic exchanges before he convinces her to go out fishing with her. After which The Man returns with The Other Woman (Kerri McLean), and their relationship and conversations appear no different. This partner swapping occurs throughout the play, suggesting that The Other Woman is one of potentially many previous partners The Man has taken to the lodge.

It has to be said that the cast, under the strong direction of James Haddrell, were brilliant. I was consistently engrossed in their characters as each actor was incredibly committed and the chemistry between them was fantastic. I could not, however, tell you what the moral or meaning of this story is though – which left me unsatisfied. Throughout the whole show, various mirroring scenes between The Man and the two women occur. In all of them I felt like I was just waiting for them to get to the point. As if we were searching through The Man’s psyche (of which the women are just tools to help do so) via the medium of his dating life, but never actually getting anywhere. He never opens up to his partners and never tells them the truth. He’s searching for something in these women, but we don’t know what. Perhaps that is the point that I am just missing. Maybe the point is he doesn’t know what he’s looking for and he is unsatisfied. That is why we don’t get answers.

McGann’s naturalistic performance of the man is subtle yet nuanced. He wonderfully shifts from loving to anxious to investigative in a matter of moments, and he was key in holding my attention throughout the show. The atmosphere of the theatre was also incredibly accurate. Julian Starr’s sound design is lovely in the way that the subtle noises of the natural world are played constantly – from the occasional cricket to the melody of the river moving. Emily Bestow has designed an incredibly detailed set that fits with the naturalistic style: a fishing cabin (where at one stage, a fish gets gutted) full to the brim of life and the world of The Man.

The best part of The River is the incredibly strong and dedicated performances throughout. It’s unfortunate that they are let down by what I would describe as a repetitive and unsubstantial plot line.

Tag Archives: David Robinson

THE BUSINESS OF MURDER

★★★

Theatre at the Tabard

THE BUSINESS OF MURDER at Theatre at the Tabard

★★★

“interesting and witty”

THE BUSINESS OF MURDER at Theatre at the Tabard

Reviewed on 31st October 2024

by David Robinson

Photography by Matt Collins

Previously reviewed at this venue:

DUET | ★★★ | April 2024

THE SECRET GARDEN | ★★★★ | December 2023

ABOUT BILL | ★★★★★ | August 2023

THE BUSINESS OF MURDER

THE BUSINESS OF MURDER

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page

THE RIVER

★★★

Greenwich Theatre

THE RIVER at the Greenwich Theatre

★★★

“each actor was incredibly committed and the chemistry between them was fantastic”