One of the most enduring characters in UK crime fiction takes centre stage in the main house at Bath’s Theatre Royal.
Following the success of the critically acclaimed BBC television series, Ian Rankin’s much-loved detective Inspector John Rebus returns to the stage in a new play Rebus: A Game Called Malice.
Directed by Loveday Ingram, Ian Rankin’s new Rebus story can be seen exclusively on-stage and visits Bath as part of a 12-venue tour.
Written by Sir Ian Rankin and Simon Reade during the Covid pandemic, it stars Gray O’Brien in the title role.
O’Brien is accompanied by Abigail Thaw as the lawyer Stephanie Jeffries, and Billy Hartman reprising the role of dodgy Edinburgh casino owner Jack Fleming, having created it for the stage in 2023.
The cast is completed by Teresa Banham as the dinner party hostess Harriet Godwin, Neil McKinven as her husband Paul Godwin, and Jade Kennedy as a young internet influencer Candida Jones.
There are good, solid acting performances from all of the six-strong cast, and I loved the design by Terry Parsons, the lighting by Matthew Eagland, and composition and sound by Garth McConaghie.
Together, they set the stage for a splendid dinner party in an Edinburgh mansion with the guests playing a murder mystery game created by the hostess.
A murder needs to be solved but each of the guests have secrets of their own, threatened by the very game they are playing.
Among them is Inspector John Rebus, brought along by Stephanie Jeffries to observe the proceedings as she’s worried about her friend Harriet.
But Rebus’s astute policing skills are soon required as a body is found upstairs, with at least four of the other five guests having left the room.
There are suspects, clues and danger with every twist and turn - and the shocking discoveries revealed as the play progresses send this game called ‘Malice' hurtling towards a shocking conclusion.
But this production features all of his skills, as it’s set in just one room, and will undoubtedly be loved by fans of the much-lauded Scottish detective series.
Rebus: A Game Called Malice tours to the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday, October 5.
To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk
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