The cast has been announced for this summer’s chilling but thrilling Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season, returning to the Theatre Royal Nottingham in August with four new mysteries to solve.
A much-loved summer staple at the city centre venue since 1988, this year’s Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season opens at the Theatre Royal Nottingham on Tuesday 1 August and runs until Saturday 26 August. The cast, who will perform as a repertory company presenting a four-week season of psychologic thrillers, detective mysteries and classic whodunnits, include Susan Earnshaw, John Goodrum. Karen Henson, Sarah Wynne Kordas, Lara Lemon, John Lyons, Pavan Maru, David Osmond, Kia Pope, Juliette Strobel, and Jeremy Lloyd Thomas.
Karen Henson from Tabs Productions, co-producer for the season, said:
“We’re all so excited to be back at the Theatre Royal for four whole weeks.
We kick off with the classic Agatha Christie story, Love From A Stranger, with Lara Lemon and David Osmond taking the lead roles.
Mystery and mayhem abound in week two, when three priceless diamonds disappear in the midst of a boisterous pantomime at a country manor house. This is a brand new production of Father Brown – A Crime at Christmas, based on the Mysteries of G K Chesterton. John Lyons, from TV’s A Touch of Frost, returns to don his cassock once again as Father Brown. He threatens this is his last Season but do we believe him? Could it be another red herring?
In week three, Brian Clemens’ Murderous Liaisons whisks us off to the Mediterranean for 1980’s shenanigans on the Costa del Sol. Pavan Maru, new to the Classic Thriller Season this year, plays Larry, a professional safe-cracker who takes on a gangland jewel thief, Alex. Alex will be played by Jeremy Lloyd Thomas, a familiar face and big favourite with Classic Thriller Season fans.
Our final flourish is Alan Ayckbourn’s Snake in the Grass, a first for the Classic Thriller Season in Nottingham. Ding dong bell, Pussy’s in the well … but who put her in? Sarah Wynne Kordas, Karen Henson and Susan Earnshaw play the three lead roles in this chilling tale of blackmail and deceit.
As a company, it’s our honour and privilege to revisit the resplendent Theatre Royal each summer. We do hope audiences will enjoy these four wonderfully entertaining plays, and also help us celebrate the Classic Thriller Seasons’ 35th birthday, too!”
The four plays featured in the Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2023 are:
Tue 1 – Sat 5 August
Love From A Stranger
by Agatha Christie & Frank Vosper
After winning a large amount of money in a sweepstake, Cecily Harrington desperately yearns for a life of adventure, far removed from the one she currently lives. When Bruce Lovell, a handsome and charming stranger, sweeps her off her feet in a whirlwind romance, she recklessly abandons her job, friends and fiancé to settle in the remote and blissful surroundings of a country cottage. This intense and chilling psychological thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Tue 8 – Sat 12 August
Father Brown – A Crime at Christmas
by John Goodrum – based on the Mysteries of G K Chesterton
Every detective has his Moriarty, and mild-mannered Father Brown is no exception … but has he met his match? When three priceless diamonds disappear mysteriously in the midst of an hilarious and boisterous pantomime, acted out impromptu by the guests at a festive house party, Father Brown, one of the assembled company, is on hand to try and unmask the culprit. Is the thief one of Violet Adams’ guests? Or has she stolen from her own daughter? And who is the guest who arrives at the door unexpectedly, halfway through the charade?
Tue 15 – Sat 19 August
Murderous Liaisons
Originally entitled “Inside Job” by Brian Clemens
By arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd
On Spain’s Costa del Sol professional safe-cracker Larry has struck it lucky. Gorgeous Suzy asks him to steal the diamonds from her husband Alex’s safe and run away with her to Rio. At the same time Alex also employs Larry to murder Suzy for her life insurance policy. When Larry tells Suzy about her husband’s plans, deceit, double-crossing and dastardly murder plans ensue. As the story twists and turns the suspense is on a knife-edge until the very end in this exciting thriller.
Tue 22 – Sat 26 August
Snake in the Grass
By Alan Ayckbourn
After 30 years away, Annabel Chester, a failed, divorced businesswoman, returns to the crumbling family home following the death of her father. There she is uncomfortably reunited with her younger sister Miriam, who cared for their father in his final years with the help of Alice, a creepily polite nurse. As the recipient of the bulk of their father’s fortune, Annabel is soon met with a demand for money to hide a sinister family secret. Dark deeds rear their heads and as blackmail looms, the sisters join forces in a series of comic and chilling events, unleashing haunting and painful memories of their late father and a macabre final twist in this chilling tale.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2023
Theatre Royal Nottingham
Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 August Love From A Stranger
Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 August Father Brown – A Crime at Christmas
Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 August Murderous Liaisons
Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 August Snake in the Grass
Tue –Fri 7.30pm, Wed matinee 2pm, Sat 3pm & 6pm
£16.50 – £31 plus discounts for Members*, Under 26s, and Groups
See all four plays for £90 (evenings) or £78 (matinees)
www.trch.co.uk 0115 989 5555
*Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham Membership scheme offering ticket discounts, exclusive pre-sales, meet the cast nights and more www.trch.co.uk/membership
Posted on 12 July 2023
