Described as “the world’s greatest thriller”,Sleuth was written by Anthony Shaffer, a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, and was, perhaps most famously, made into a film in 1972 starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine.
This new touring version, which is on at the Cambridge Arts Theatre this week, stars Neil McDermott - who is probably best known as Ryan Malloy in EastEnders \- as Milo Tindle and Todd Boyce, of Coronation Street fame, as Andrew Wyke.
The play is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, whose many credits include working with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
With an excellent set creating just the right country house atmosphere, Boyce gets the proceedings off to a bright start, his aristocratic character’s eccentric behaviour setting the scene for the mayhem that’s to follow.
Ably assisted by McDermott, the two are very believable as love rivals, of sorts, and put on a manic first half performance, full of twists and turns.
The special effects are also very impressive, as are the costumes - although I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of the suit with polo shirt look sported by McDermott, preferring what Michael Caine wore in the film. Still, I guess it’s in keeping with the character.
The second half maintains the pace of the first, introducing the character of Inspector Doppler. There is more high-octane action and verbal - and physical - sparring to enjoy before another ‘big reveal’.
As I’d seen the 1972 film fairly recently (another film version came out in 2007, this time with Michael Caine in the Laurence Olivier role and Jude Law taking on the role Caine had played previously), I knew what was coming, but it was still enjoyable watching the story being played out.
Like the film, I felt the play started to ‘drag on’ a bit towards the end, but the ending, when it came, was emphatically done.
I’m not quite sure whether the ‘world’s greatest thriller’ accolade is deserving, but nevertheless this is a solid production that should delight and intrigue theatre-goers.
[Read more: *[*Sleuth, ‘the greatest thriller of all time’, coming to Cambridge Arts Theatre*](https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/whats-on/sleuth-the-greatest-thriller-of-all-time-coming-to-cambr-9357141/)]*
Sleuth is on at the Cambridge Arts Theatre until Saturday (23 March). Tickets, priced £20-£40, are available from cambridgeartstheatre.com.
