‘Sleuth’ @ Theatre Three
Photos by Jeffrey Schmidt
—Carol M. Rice
[NOTE: Some spoilers are included in this review.]
The 1972 film version of Sleuth with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine has always been a favorite of mine (although the 2007 remake starring Caine in the Olivier role and Jude Law, not so much). So I was excited to have a chance to experience a live production of Anthony Shaffer’s brilliant script, and Theatre Three’s tight, intimate production does not disappoint.
Malcolm Stephenson plays Andrew Wyke, a writer of famous detective stories, who has invited Milo Tindle (portrayed by Benjamin Stegmair) to his home for a chat. It seems Milo wants to marry Andrew’s wife Marguerite, and Andrew appears only too happy to allow him to take Marguerite off his hands—so he can spend more time with his mistress Téa. But first Milo must play a game, and the game soon turns deadly.
Stephenson’s and Stegmair’s chemistry is obvious from the beginning. Stephenson initially portrays Andrew as a fun-loving gamester, which he is...but he also really (really!) doesn’t like to lose. His slow transformation from happy game-player to spurned and humiliated husband bent on revenge is fascinating to watch. Nicely done.
Stegmair’s performance as Milo is equally transformative but even more mesmerizing. The difference between the wide-eyed, trusting lover and the hardened man who thinks he is facing death is truly astonishing. We saw Milo as two different characters, and that doesn’t take into account Stegmair’s third role as the Inspector, who was also completely different (though I do wish the character’s makeup and costuming better matched the excellent performance). I’ve seen Stegmair in a number of shows, starting when he was a student in the Richland College theatre department, and he impresses me more every time I see him onstage. He’s a strong, charismatic actor with a great future ahead of him.
Director Emily Scott Banks has done a masterful job of maneuvering her cast of two in the tiny Theatre Too space, aided by Jeffrey Schmidt’s ingenious set. The design manages to feel both spacious and claustrophobic at the same time, and Banks has led her actors to naturally fill the space. The use of a turntable was a fabulous way to indicate the actors had moved upstairs! I do wish there had been more games on the set so that Andrew’s obsession with playing them was more apparent, although the use of a well-utilized ventriloquist’s dummy as Happy Jack almost made up for it. Kudos must also go to Jessica D. Turner as dialect coach and David Saldivar as fight director.
I love a good thriller, and Theatre Three’s Sleuth is one of the most satisfying I’ve seen in a very long time. Based on audience reactions (you could hear a pin drop during the tense moments), I’m sure I’m not alone in that assessment. Amazing acting on a beautiful set—and it’s a great break from holiday fare if you’re feeling a bit Scrooge-ed. Highly recommended!
WHEN: November 14-December 15, 2024
WHERE 2688 Laclede Street, Dallas (Theatre Too space)
WEB: theatre3dallas.com
