Murderer (play)
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Murderer is a dark, twisting, comedy thriller, written by Anthony Shaffer. The play is in two acts, and takes place in Norman Bartholomew's home in a small village in Dorset, England. Norman's interest of re-enacting famous murders, which involve his girlfriend Millie, and tired wife, Elizabeth, cause suspicion with the police, and soon Sergeant Stenning and Norman are in a game of wits and murder.[1]
Norman Bartholomew, a painter with a dark obsession, meticulously plans and executes the murder of his subject, Millie Sykes. He strangles her, dismembers her body, and disposes of the remains in his stove, all while maintaining an eerie calm.
When Sergeant Stenning arrives to investigate a neighbour's report, Norman engages in a psychological game, deflecting suspicion with dark humour and odd behaviour. Sergeant Stenning conducts a search of the house and finds a smouldering head in the wood burner stove. Quickly realising the head is a fake, he demands an explanation. Norman reveals his hobby of re-enacting famous murder cases, claiming it's all part of experiencing the thrill of being a murder suspect.
Norman and Millie, who we learn has been a willing victim in Noman's game, perform disturbing theatrical scenarios in front of Sergeant Stenning, leaving him frustrated and confused. He tries, without success, to warn them of the games they are playing, and leaves the house to put the neighbour's mind at ease.
However, we learn the game Norman had set up for Sergeant Stenning was part of his true intentions: to murder his wife, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth arrives home early to find Norman with Millie and confronts him about his affair, revealing to Millie that she knows about Norman's role-playing and fantasies of murder, and the other women he has been seeing. Millie leaves, upset that Norman had been using her.
As tensions rise, Norman and Elizabeth engage in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, with each trying to outsmart the other. The situation escalates, and Norman attempts to carry out his murderous plan.
Just when it seems Norman has succeeded, Sergeant Stenning returns unexpectedly, and the atmosphere grows thick with suspicion as the plot rapidly moves in new directions and the characters' true motives and actions come to light.[1]
Production
Murderer opened at the Theatre Royal, Brighton on 11 February 1975 before moving on to the Theatre Royal, Newcastle (24 February - 1 March) and the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh (3 - 8 March) before finally transferring to the Garrick Theatre, London on 12 March, where it played until 19 July 1975.[1]
Cast:
| Norman Bartholomew | Robert Stephens |
| Millie Sykes | Patricia Quinn |
| Sergeant Stenning | Warren Clarke |
| Elizabeth Bartholomew | Caroline Blakiston |
Director: Clifford Williams
Design: Carl Toms