|
|
Post by lt on Nov 10, 2024 15:11:59 GMT
I've always had a weakness for twisty, slightly implausible psychological murder thrillers, so when I saw The Business of Murder was on at the Tabard I couldn't resist getting a last minute ticket...It's written by Richard Harris, who's written many detective scripts for TV shows.
The play slightly reminded me of Sleuth.
The first half was definitely too slow and took a long time to get going. Several loud and somewhat tactless audience members said at the interval it was rather boring and they weren't wrong. However, it really picked up in the second half and it became clear why a Mr Stone had invited two strangers to his flat and had a satisfying denouement. I won't comment on the actual end, as I don't want to give away spoilers.
All the cast were engaging and best of all for me was Gary Webster highly convincing in the role of an old school cop.
It was highly enjoyable hokum and just the sort of show I was in the mood for seeing last night.
This was the first time I had been to the 96 seat pub theatre, it never fails to amaze me that there are so many tiny theatres in London, putting on productions every week, God knows how they make a living.
|
|
121 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by jake on Nov 10, 2024 18:09:05 GMT
I've always had a weakness for twisty, slightly implausible psychological murder thrillers, so when I saw The Business of Murder was on at the Tabard I couldn't resist getting a last minute ticket...It's written by Richard Harriss, who's written many detective scripts for TV shows.
The play slightly reminded me of Sleuth.
The first half was definitely too slow and took a long time to get going. Several loud and somewhat tactless audience members said at the interval it was rather boring and they weren't wrong. However, it really picked up in the second half and it became clear why a Mr Stone had invited two strangers to his flat and had a satisfying denoument. I won't comment on the actual end, as I don't want to give away spoilers.
All the cast were engaging and best of all for me was Gary Webster highly convincing in the role of an old school cop.
It was highly enjoyable hokum and just the sort of show I was in the mood for seeing last night.
This was the first time I had been to the 96 seat pub theatre, it never fails to amaze me that there are so many tiny theatres in London, putting on productions every week, God knows how they make a living.
Gary Webster off of Minder? The one who isn't Denis Waterman? That Gary Webster? I saw him in a touring production of The Cat and the Canary that I'd booked mainly to see if Brit Ekland could cut it on stage*. GW really stood out in that. I wasn't so impressed that I came back after the interval but that wasn't his fault. I thought the production was utterly dire but he came across as the most convincing player on stage before I decided I could take no more. I've always assumed the Tabard was amateur - like the venerable Questors a bit further down the District Line. Not that I've anything against Am Dram. I've seen a couple of amateur productions recently that knocked spots off some high profile things I saw round the same time**. *Answer: in this, and strictly imho, the answer would seem to be she couldn't. But I was probably being quite unfair. Maybe when she was younger and/or in rather better material she was top notch. **Since you ask, the am Dram productions were: Hangmen at Hampton Hill and Glengarry Glen Ross at Stockport Garrick. I won't name the disappointing pro- efforts lest I appear to be repeatedly knocking them! |
|
|
|
Post by lt on Nov 10, 2024 18:30:31 GMT
I've always had a weakness for twisty, slightly implausible psychological murder thrillers, so when I saw The Business of Murder was on at the Tabard I couldn't resist getting a last minute ticket...It's written by Richard Harriss, who's written many detective scripts for TV shows.
The play slightly reminded me of Sleuth.
The first half was definitely too slow and took a long time to get going. Several loud and somewhat tactless audience members said at the interval it was rather boring and they weren't wrong. However, it really picked up in the second half and it became clear why a Mr Stone had invited two strangers to his flat and had a satisfying denoument. I won't comment on the actual end, as I don't want to give away spoilers.
All the cast were engaging and best of all for me was Gary Webster highly convincing in the role of an old school cop.
It was highly enjoyable hokum and just the sort of show I was in the mood for seeing last night.
This was the first time I had been to the 96 seat pub theatre, it never fails to amaze me that there are so many tiny theatres in London, putting on productions every week, God knows how they make a living.
Gary Webster off of Minder? The one who isn't Denis Waterman? That Gary Webster? I saw him in a touring production of The Cat and the Canary that I'd booked mainly to see if Brit Ekland could cut it on stage*. GW really stood out in that. I wasn't so impressed that I came back after the interval but that wasn't his fault. I thought the production was utterly dire but he came across as the most convincing player on stage before I decided I could take no more. I've always assumed the Tabard was amateur - like the venerable Questors a bit further down the District Line. Not that I've anything against Am Dram. I've seen a couple of amateur productions recently that knocked spots off some high profile things I saw round the same time**. *Answer: in this, and strictly imho, the answer would seem to be she couldn't. But I was probably being quite unfair. Maybe when she was younger and/or in rather better material she was top notch. **Since you ask, the am Dram productions were: Hangmen at Hampton Hill and Glengarry Glen Ross at Stockport Garrick. I won't name the disappointing pro- efforts lest I appear to be repeatedly knocking them! Yes, that Gary Webster! The others were professional actors too: Miles Gallant and Charlotte Hunter, both also very able and capable of holding the audience's attention. I was in the front row so could see every facial expression and mannerism. It was great to see the show was sold out on the night I went. I don't know a huge amount about the Tabard but definitely not amateur and I will certainly be returning. |
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Nov 18, 2024 18:45:18 GMT
The Tabard is not amateur, it is a small fringe venue similar to The White Bear (for example). I’ve been to a few things there. They also sometimes host comedians trying out new material (who I assume live locally) Al Murray for example.
|
|
121 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by jake on Nov 18, 2024 20:35:02 GMT
The Tabard is not amateur, it is a small fringe venue similar to The White Bear (for example). I’ve been to a few things there. They also sometimes host comedians trying out new material (who I assume live locally) Al Murray for example. Thanks. That's useful to know. |
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Nov 21, 2024 22:15:27 GMT
I've always had a weakness for twisty, slightly implausible psychological murder thrillers, so when I saw The Business of Murder was on at the Tabard I couldn't resist getting a last minute ticket...It's written by Richard Harris, who's written many detective scripts for TV shows.
The play slightly reminded me of Sleuth.
The first half was definitely too slow and took a long time to get going. Several loud and somewhat tactless audience members said at the interval it was rather boring and they weren't wrong. However, it really picked up in the second half and it became clear why a Mr Stone had invited two strangers to his flat and had a satisfying denouement. I won't comment on the actual end, as I don't want to give away spoilers.
All the cast were engaging and best of all for me was Gary Webster highly convincing in the role of an old school cop.
It was highly enjoyable hokum and just the sort of show I was in the mood for seeing last night.
This was the first time I had been to the 96 seat pub theatre, it never fails to amaze me that there are so many tiny theatres in London, putting on productions every week, God knows how they make a living.
Entirely based on your review I went to see this. It was good nostalgic fun. I recall in the 1980s when this was written there were several plays like this in the West End, in a way as old fashioned and remote from us today as Restoration comedies and professional productions of them now are thin on the ground. But there is an audience for them, the place was full. |
|
|
|
Post by lt on Nov 22, 2024 9:38:59 GMT
I've always had a weakness for twisty, slightly implausible psychological murder thrillers, so when I saw The Business of Murder was on at the Tabard I couldn't resist getting a last minute ticket...It's written by Richard Harris, who's written many detective scripts for TV shows.
The play slightly reminded me of Sleuth.
The first half was definitely too slow and took a long time to get going. Several loud and somewhat tactless audience members said at the interval it was rather boring and they weren't wrong. However, it really picked up in the second half and it became clear why a Mr Stone had invited two strangers to his flat and had a satisfying denouement. I won't comment on the actual end, as I don't want to give away spoilers.
All the cast were engaging and best of all for me was Gary Webster highly convincing in the role of an old school cop.
It was highly enjoyable hokum and just the sort of show I was in the mood for seeing last night.
This was the first time I had been to the 96 seat pub theatre, it never fails to amaze me that there are so many tiny theatres in London, putting on productions every week, God knows how they make a living.
Entirely based on your review I went to see this. It was good nostalgic fun. I recall in the 1980s when this was written there were several plays like this in the West End, in a way as old fashioned and remote from us today as Restoration comedies and professional productions of them now are thin on the ground. But there is an audience for them, the place was full. What a responsibility! Very glad you enjoyed it. Completely agree about the nostalgia, I remember being taken to those plays as a kid and loving them, and have had an enthusiasm for them ever since... |
|
406 posts
|
Post by altamont on Nov 22, 2024 12:15:55 GMT
I vaguely remember seeing the Business of Murder in the '70s on TV - Gareth Hunt, Martin Jarvis and Judy Loe. All I recall from that viewing is the phone number trick as revealed in the first act. My first time at the Tabard, a great little theatre, and being sat in the front row meant it felt you were in the flat with the characters.
|
|
