Whole new meaning to stage fright
Murder In The Dark Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Tuesday-Saturday
There are not one but two huge plot twists in new stage thriller Murder In The Dark which audiences are asked to keep within the walls of the theatre.
The ghost story is a new production in a modern setting but gives nods to past classics.
It stars former Holby City, Casualty and Waterloo Road star – and Strictly winner – Tom Chambers as Danny Sierra, a washed-up pop star who has fallen on hard times. He is with his family on Hogmanay when they are involved in a car crash and they end up being taken in by what seems like a nice, elderly farmer’s wife called Mrs Bateman, played by Susie Blake from Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV and Mrs Brown’s Boys.
“She offers them temporary salvage in her farm cottage, then all sorts of weird things start happening,” explained Tom. “The line is blurred between what’s real and what’s surreal, and the consequences of their past catching up with them in this eerie place.
“Things get scary because it’s a psychological thriller, but at the same time you might be laughing because it’s also unbearably comedic.
“Danny’s role is to try to make amends with his family but he fails dramatically as his efforts are either squashed or mixed up in what some would describe as paranormal activity.
“I don’t want to give too much away. We’ve been given strict instructions to ask all members of the audience to keep the two big plot twists a secret.”
Tom, whose previous stage jobs include White Christmas, Top Hat and Dial M For Murder, is excited to be the first actor to appear in the role.
“It’s thrilling to be part of something brand new,” he continued. “Torben Betts is a master of storytelling, with wit, humour and scare tactics. Theatre these days is really exciting with its ability to deceive an audience through how far its ingenuity and technology has evolved, playing with all your imaginative sensors.
“It’s exciting to be doing a new play but, like the play itself, it’s also really scary for us as we try to find our way through something that’s never been done before and all the limits to our imagination. I guess it’s like stabbing in the dark, wondering how it’s going to be received. You never quite know until you have an audience.”
Danny says he scares easily, so tends not to gravitate towards scary things.
“I’m certainly not someone who prefers horror movies, although
I know millions of people do. It’s probably because I have older siblings who would either make me jump or fill my imagination with doubt. Fear is contagious, and so while thrilling, doing this play is a bit like you’re experiencing and feeling it for real and I definitely don’t need extra right now!”
Tom says he’s looking forward to gauging people’s reactions to the new thriller, which he says has a Stranger Things vibe to it.
“A lot of thrillers, like The Woman In Black or The Mousetrap, go back a long way whereas this is really modern. I’m interested to see how the audiences react in different parts of the country. There’s so much in this play – whether it’s comedy, empathy, relatable family dynamics and scares, that I’m sure some places will respond very differently to others.”
Tom is also anticipating his return to Glasgow, especially as he’ll have the chance to visit one of his favourite restaurants.
“I love Glasgow,” he added. “I’ve been up there with Private Lives and Dial M For Murder and it’s such a great place.
“There’s a brilliant Italian restaurant called La Lanterna on Hope Street and I’m looking forward to popping along between shows.”