‘Case Closed’ digs deep to explore emotional abuse, manipulation and true love
An enthralling performance with a splash of romance, intrigue and a twist of murder, Case Closed is filled to the brim with relatable nuances.
If you would kill for a friend or have ever loved someone so much that you would bow to their every whim, then Case Closed, now on at the Mandela Bay Arts Festival, might be your saving grace.
Written and directed by Elé Coetzee with production assistance by Aladiah Geswind, Case Closed delves deep into the human psyche while exposing the intricate nature of emotional abuse, trust manipulation and, of course, true love.
Following a narrative interspersed with different times and moments, the show looks into the inner workings of the mind of a sociopath who uses and abuses his dark talents to control those around him.
The audience is taken to the dark and demented minds of three friends, who are all able to manipulate each other.
Bay thespian Mark Phelps, who plays Michael, a somewhat malevolent and murderobsessed university student, is compelling and disturbing in his role.
Kerry de Villiers as a lovestruck Kate and Adrienne Jantjies as the ever-compliant Mai also deliver powerful performances.
The trio, who plot and execute the brutal murder of a 14-year-old girl whose body is later found chopped up and strewn across the Gqeberha beachfront, imbue their performances with the much-needed wickedness the roles demand.
Touching on gender-based violence and other forms of abuse, Case Closed is a fitting example of how things can go wrong when outside influences take centre stage.
From interrogations by police officers, played by Arthur Dolkien, Lai-lon Rafferty and Genevieve Arnol, to murderous plots and more, Case Closed is a welcome alternative to run of the mill theatre productions.
Catch Case Closed at 8.30pm on Thursday at the Athenaeum Studio Theatre.