Audiences at Crewe Lyceum this week will be treated to a tale of murder and deceit with Tim Holloway’s stage adaptation of James M. Cain’s novel, Double Indemnity, writes Claire Faulkner.
Perhaps most well-known from the iconic 1944 film featuring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck, but you don’t have to be familiar with the film to enjoy this production.
When I first entered the auditorium, I was immediately struck by the atmospheric set design. The stage had been transformed to an industrial grey bunker type space, somewhere behind the Hollywood sign.
Visually, the whole production looked stunning and was a joy to watch.
The lighting design was exceptional, the contrasting shadows added dramatic tension and brought film noir straight to the stage; the colours of the costumes stood out against the background and worked incredibly well.
Directed by Oscar Toeman, the cast tells the story of Phyllis Nirdlinger, played by Mischa Barton, who after meeting insurance salesman Walter Huff, played by Ciarán Owens, plot to murder her husband in order claim his insurance payout.
Is there such a thing as a perfect murder?, and can they get away with it?
On the night I attended, both Barton and Owens gave strong performances on stage. They worked well together and captivated the audience.
There seemed to be an issue with the sound at one point in the second half, but this didn’t detract from the overall experience of watching the show.
Martin Marquez was brilliantly cast as insurance investigator Keyes, his frustration in trying to solve the case and seek justice for the firm added just the right amount of tension and suspense.
It provided a great balance to Owens, whose character starts to unravel with doubt and guilt.
If you enjoy thrillers and suspense, then this production is for you. Double Indemnity is running at Crewe Lyceum until Saturday 21st February.
For more details on shows at Crewe Lyceum visit www.crewelyceum.co.uk
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