MURDER AT MIDNIGHT - The Lowry, Salford (20/01/26)

Chaotic comedic murder mystery is marvellously mad

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Blending comedy with crime has often been a winning formula in the past, be that on the screen with modern picks like "Knives Out", or theatrical exponents such as Ira Levin's classic "Deathtrap", or Mischief's modern farce "The Play That Goes Wrong". Add to that pile Torbin Betts' new madcap mystery "Murder at Midnight", mixing all the pandemonium and disarray of a farce with the suspense, intrigue and enigma of a classic whodunnit. Strap in and prepare yourselves for a thoroughly unhinged, if unevenly paced, ride.

Max Bowden, Jason Durr and Susie Blake (credit: Pamela Raith)

Taking the route of opening at the close, we are presented with the bloody aftermath of an ill-fated new years eve party in rural Kent, and though Betts was perhaps rather too quick out of the gates with the self-referential humour, he more or less succeeds in building up enough tension to keep us on the hook, wondering how the various pieces of this undoubtedly frenzied puzzle are going to fit together. Rewinding by mere hours, we pick up the action with our motley crew gathering for said festivities, with all manner of antics, from drug deals to robbery to adultery, taking place throughout the house.

The set itself, designed by Colin Falconer, has clearly had no expense spared on it, and combines marvellously with Jason Taylor's lighting design, though this could have been used more effectively during scenes where multiple, alternating dialogues were happening concurrently. That aside though, this was a feast for both the eyes and the ears, as although this piece was slow to get going, Betts' comic writing comes into its stride during the second act, possessing all the hallmarks of a classic comedy farce, with just the right balance of dark humour and slapstick. This is a play that never takes itself too seriously, clearly revelling in just how riotously ridiculous it is.

Katie McGlynn, Iryna Poplavska and Susie Blake (credit: Pamela Raith)

Leading the charge as eyepatch-sporting hardened criminal Jonny "Cyclops" Drinkwater is Jason Durr, a man who is no stranger to a good murder mystery. Bringing both his expertise in the field and his impressive comic prowess, as well as his natural cheeky charm, Durr gives us a charismatic yet menacing performance akin to Del Boy meets Dr No. Another major standout, playing Jonny's mother Shirley, was Susie Blake; with her sharp tongued wit and delicious unpredictability, she steals the show on many an occasion.

There were certainly plenty of brilliant performances, (in spite of one or two less than convincing accents), but it was how they all interacted and played off of one another that really sold this piece, in particular Durr's double act with Peter Moreton presented us with a plethora of hilarious exchanges. Overall I don't think this play is likely to become a classic of the genre, but it has just about enough suspense and absurdity to make for a compelling enough comedy farce come murder mystery.

★★★☆☆ (3*)

"Murder at Midnight" runs at the Lowry until the 24th of January (tickets)

{PR/Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review}