Review: The Other Side of Murder (Theatr Clwyd / UK Tour)
Review by Eleanor Rose Clarke
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Secrets, spectacle and the supernatural come together in The Other Side of Murder, the third instalment of Torben Betts’ self-proclaimed ‘Murder Trilogy’. The show opened at Theatr Clwyd this week ahead of a UK tour, which includes stops in Cardiff, Dublin and Leeds, to name just a few, before finishing in Coventry in March 2027. Theatr Clwyd’s gorgeous landscapes welcome visitors into its cosy, refurbished Theatr Moondance, which is perfect for this intimate performance. The question is does The Dark Side of Murder truly call on restless spirits and ghastly ghouls, or does it only fizzle out the lights?
Thriller and horror plays fit extremely well in the modern theatre landscape, with adaptations such as The Haunting of Hill House, set to arrive at Theatr Clwyd in October, and other well-known titles, such as last year’s tour of The Woman in Black, frequently appearing on our stages. Bringing moments of the spiritual and otherworldly to the theatre thrills audiences, as theatre magic can create unfathomable illusions that stretch the limits of what our logic can comprehend. The ‘Murder Trilogy’ plays, all directed by Philip Franks, pitch themselves as bringing subversion and transformation to the familiar tropes we know and love from the world of thrillers and mysteries. I entered the theatre having not seen either of the predecessors, but this did not limit my enjoyment of this new edition. There is a successful balance of old and new in The Other Side of Murder, with family drama, quick-witted dialogue and a bloody twist. The audience’s vocalised reactions demonstrated that this play brought a delightfully fun and thrilling afternoon to patrons of Theatr Clwyd.
The Other Side of Murder centres around the infamous Darius Divine, or as we find him, asleep on the sofa in his home, Peter. Having found fame in his youth as a TV medium, Peter is amid preparing for his biggest TV appearance as Darius Divine in years. Thanks to the dedication of his wife, Susanna, who has taken on the role as his manager, publicist and everything in between, and his recent appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, Peter finds himself the talk of British Television once more. But Peter has a secret, and that secret is about to crash the dinner party he’s hosting to reconnect with his estranged daughter, who is visiting from Australia, and that secret has serious leverage over Peter, a questionable French accent and a knife.
The production is brought to the stage by Original Theatre, who have produced the two prior ‘Murder Trilogy’ plays: Murder at Midnight and Murder in the Dark, which are not directly linked to The Other Side of Murder story-wise, but in a thematic sense. Founded in 2004, the company is championed for their active push for theatre accessibility through digital platforms, and they won the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for exceptional theatre-making during the 2020 pandemic. The plays preceding The Other Side of Murder are available to watch through Original Theatre’s subscription-based streaming service, if you want to catch up before watching this one, that is.
Torben Betts’ writing is not short of strong comedic moments, which bring laughter out of the audience with no difficulty, and maintains a consistently witty tone with the fast-paced dialogue, which allows the story to move quickly. However, it also has a habit of both over-explaining and repeating information, especially in Act One. There is a commentary on our society’s push for sensationalised media and toxic reality TV, which is an interesting idea to explore, but it is not effectively present until the end of the play. The first act touches on some complex themes, but they are quickly moved on from and in result, slip under the radar. Of course, there needs to be little allusion to a twist for it to shock audiences, but there is a missed opportunity for subtle build-up, which would have formed stronger overarching themes and a stronger impact when the ending comes. Without the risk of spoilers, I’ll say that the end of the story is unique and makes the play worth a watch, but it was the shock value that drove its effectiveness, rather than a clever rounding up of themes from throughout the play, and I fear a second viewing would drag a little.
Without a doubt, the standout performance in this production comes from Susie Blake, who stars as Peter’s whimsical mother-in-law, Miriam. Her command of the stage slows down the racing dialogue, as she takes her time with the material, often waiting a moment before she dives into a song, which both captivates and cracks up the audience. Rufus Hound brings a vulnerability to Peter, who certainly makes some questionable decisions, and this choice allows the audience to sympathise with this rather passive man. Carla Mendonça as Susanna is a spectacular balance to Hound’s Peter, with her authoritative yet compassionate drive to support her husband’s career. Aisha Jawando’s performance is bold with admirable comedic timing, and Beth Lilly’s energy brings a welcomed freshness to Act Two.
John Bulleid’s illusion design is seamless and a real highlight of the show, demonstrating the magic that live theatre can bring, and the mastery in achieving these effects to such a high standard is clear in this production. The set is intimate and warm-toned, thanks to designer Colin Falconer, making the spooky moments all the more effective. Jason Taylor’s lighting design supports these moments with its stark changes and precision that really make the audience believe that spirits are upon us.
At its heart, The Other Side of Murder is an engaging dark comedy, whilst also providing commentary on the toxicity of celebrity culture. The play is mostly successful in what it sets out to achieve, with interesting ideas that sometimes fall short. Primarily, the show provides feel-good theatre for lovers of the supernatural and will give audiences across the country a jolly and thrilling few hours, perhaps encouraging a few spirits to rise and enjoy the performance too.
The Other Side of Murder embarks on a UK tour, playing next at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford from the 15th of September. Book your tickets at a theatre near you: https://www.murderplay.com/book-now
Photos by Manuel Harlan