Deadly Murder: Dead copy of format in murderous script
Photo: Maria Vartanova
Deadly Murder feels a lot like a weak rewrite of Ira Levin’s Deathtrap. In fact, playwright David Foley describes his thriller — originally entitled If/Then — as being in the tradition of Sleuth and Deathtrap.
Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth was written in 1970. Ira Levin’s Deathtrap (last performed at Ottawa Little Theatre earlier this year, during its 100th season) was written in 1978. Both revolve around murderous game playing and shocking audiences when the dead or almost dead come back to life.
The form of Foley’s Deadly Murder, first performed in 2008, is similar. The product is just not as good. So the first question is why Ottawa Little Theatre chose to mount it just six months after its better-version big brother was seen on the OLT stage.
Paul Gardner’s set for this production is eye catching and is well supported by Brian Cano’s lighting (with particular kudos to the final moments).
The thriller itself, however, has few thrills or surprises for anyone familiar with Deathtrap. Deadly Murder (bad title — when was murder not deadly?) is wordy and probably reads better than it plays, particularly when given the one-note direction that director Dorothy Gardner favours in this production.
The good news is that all three characters are in control of their lines and are clear about their characterizations. Kim Strauss as Camille, a rich and successful jewellery designer with a dark past, is taken hostage by Billy (Connor Marghetis) in her own apartment — a not-so-subtle lesson on the dangers of picking up strange men — and seeks help from security guard, Ted (Tim Finnigan).
One issue with costuming (regardless of any instruction from the playwright) is too much exposure of Billy’s upper body in the opening segment. The script makes it clear that the sexually active Camille favours male bodies of a certain type and this Billy — despite his handsome face — does not fit that mould. Therefore, the director would have been wiser to outfit him differently.
It should be noted that, my strong reservations aside, the opening night audience responded enthusiastically to Deadly Murder, which continues at Ottawa Little Theatre to November 2, 2013.
Deadly Murder
By David Foley
Ottawa Little Theatre
Director: Dorothy Gardner
Set: Paul Gardner
Lighting: Brian Cano
Sound: Bob Krukowski and Steven Parkin
Costumes: Jeanne Gauthier
Cast
Billy……………………………………………………….Connor Marghetis
Camille…………………………………………………….Kim Strauss
Ted…………………………………………………………Tim Finnigan