Minerva Theatre, The Chichester Festival Theatre
Chichester, England
July 7 to August 7 1993
Role: Wyndham Brandon
Two Oxford undergraduates embark on committing the perfect murder to prove that they are superior to ordinary people. They kill a class-mate, hiding his body in their apartment where they proceed to throw a party. The evening plays out as a game of cat and mouse as it is gradually revealed that the party guests are the victim's family and friends. Although the story has similarities to the notorious 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder of 14-year-old Bobbie Franks for "academic interest", the playright denies any link.
The play was adapted for the screen in 1948 by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Jimmy Stewart as headmaster Rupert Cadell. Although the clear homosexual overtones were played down in the film, it was banned in several places around the US. The film is currently available on DVD.
Other cast of the play:
Alexis Denisoff as Charles Granillo
Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as headmaster, Rupert
Cadell.
For more information and reviews of the show please visit Bentley's Bedlam.
