Game on in Sleuth at Limelight

Limelight Theatre (WA) presents Anthony Shaffer’s 1971 Tony Award winning thriller Sleuth from September 27 to October 13, 2012.

The play follows mystery writer Andrew Wyke, who lures his wife’s lover Milo Tindall to his manor house where he harbours an obsession for inventions and deceptions of fiction and a fascination with games.

The plot thickens when Wyke puts a proposition to Milo he finds hard to resist and Inspector Doppler, Detective Sergeant Tarrant and PC Higgs become involved in the chain of events.

Twice adapted for the screen, the 2007 film, adapted by Harold Pinter, starred Michael Caine and Jude Law (directed by Kenneth Branagh), whileCaine was also in the original 1972 film with Sir Laurence Olivier.

Director Sue Mainwaring has taken on the challenge of mounting Sleuth, embracing all aspects of what’s been described as a “flawless thriller”.

“Anthony Schaffer is a master of thriller writing and Sleuth is a well-written play with many psychological twists,” she said. “It also matches highs of great drama with plenty of comedy as well.

“The play is definitely one of the best of its genre and is extremely clever, tense and unashamedly literate.

“Two become men engaged in a battle of wits and imagination over the love of a woman and the audience is kept guessing until the very end.”

Involved with Limelight Theatre for the past 16 years, Mainwaring is a theatre jack-of-all-trades having acted, directed, built sets and helped with costumes and properties, as well as serving a two-year stint as president.

She has won awards for best actor, best production and best set and has also produced Cats and Annie at the Regal Theatre, along with performances at the Playhouse and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.

With Sleuth, Mainwaring promises the audience can expect some surprises.

“The greatest challenge is to bring out Schaffer's subtle nuances to grip the audience and keep them speculating right through the show,” she said.

Sleuth plays at 8pm, September 27, 28, 29, October 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13. Tickets are $19 adults, $16 concession and $10 children.

Book on 9571 8591 between 9am and midday, Monday to Friday, or online at www.limelighttheatre.com.

Limelight Theatre is located on Civic Drive, Wanneroo.

Images: (top) Bob Mainwaring, left, and Chris Juckes get involved in a game of inventions and deceptions in the murder-mystery Sleuth. (lower) Mystery writer Andrew Wyke (Bob Mainwaring), Milo Tindall (Chris Juckes) and Inspector Doppler (Stan Rushton).

More Community Theatre