Hot on the heels of a stage tour, Torben Betts’s thriller Murder in the Dark now comes to online streaming courtesy of producers Original Theatre.
The setting is a dark house, on a cold New Year’s Eve. There’s been an accident, and fading pop sensation Danny Sierra (Tom Chambers) and his family seek shelter.
Philip Franks directs this tight shocker, which offers a few shivers and a spooky story, which I partly guessed at before the conclusion.
Technically, it works well, with lights abruptly failing, a TV with a mind of its own, and some camera tricks you wouldn’t have seen in a live performance. It also skips any interval, ratching up the tension.
Although many of the twists and turns here are typical of the genre, this is a quick and entertaining watch bolstered by the skilful writing and performing of the character of Mrs Bateman (Susie Blake), who anchors the play.
Murder in the Dark is a spooky ghost story that relies on creepy noises and shadows on weird coincidences and psychological scares.
The design and the slightly off performance from Chambers will leave you both amused and unsettled.
A couple of moments towards the end feel forced and out of steam, but for the bulk of its 90 minutes, this play keeps you watching and guessing.
Comparisons may be made with how 2.22 A Ghost Story unfolds, but you can enjoy both, or either. This genre never declines in popularity.
Original Theatre’s online presentations are always high quality, and Murder in the Dark is no exception, with good use of some black and white segments, viewpoints you would never see as an audience member, and pinsharp sound.
Murder in the Dark will be available for general release rental on Original’s platform from 24 May and is available to new and existing Original Online subscribers now. For more details go here.
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Image credit: Pamela Raith