REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
THE MAKINGS OF A MURDERER 2 – THE REAL MANHUNTER
Towngate Theatre,
St Martins Square,
Basildon,
Essex,
SS14 1DL
Thursday 30th January
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
THE MAKINGS OF A MURDERER 2 – THE REAL MANHUNTER
Towngate Theatre,
St Martins Square,
Basildon,
Essex,
SS14 1DL
Thursday 30th January
Anyone familiar with the tv show Manhunt starring Martin Clunes will be aware of Senior Investigating Officer Colin Sutton. Sutton is the very man Martin Clunes portrayed in the ITV drama and he is often called upon for his background and intel on murder cases portrayed in tv dramas after a successful 30 year tenure with the police force.
The tour of “The Makings of a Murderer” stopped off at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon on Thursday and offered a chillingly fascinating glimpse into the world of real-life crime, delivered with compelling candour by none other than the man himself, Colin Sutton.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that those of us who enjoy a good crime drama, like to think that we could solve the mystery ourselves by the end of the show, and so it was with my inner ‘Vera’ that I ventured off to Basildon to see if I could pick up any sleuthing tips from one of the UK’s most revered Senior Investigating Officers, now retired from the Metropolitan Police.
With a practically full house at the Towngate, it’s pretty clear that I wasn’t the only one ready to find out all the juicy details of what goes on within the depths of a murder investigation.
Like all good storytellers, Sutton begins by telling us about a couple of ‘lesser known to the public’ cases and highlights the chilling statistic that most murders will occur within a few miles of the victim's home, and that the majority of killers don't set out with premeditated intent. He also explained the difference between a ‘manhunt’, where the perpetrator is known and tracked down; and a ‘whodunnit’, where the killer must first be identified and then tracked down. He then goes on to recount the details of two disturbing cases: the murder of a young woman shot to death in Battersea and the brutal stabbing of a young gay man and the investigative techniques used in an ever difficult environment to work out just who the murderers are and details of how they are tracked and profiled.
The second act focuses on two notorious names: Levi Bellfield and Delroy Grant. This is really what the audience is here for. These chilling accounts, filled with some unbelievably horrific and terrifying details, had the audience gripped yet audibly shocked as the mindsets of these two evil humans are gradually revealed. Despite the horrors of the subject matter, Sutton’s dry, self-confessed sarcastic humour is always prevalent giving him a great connection to the audience who are agog at this every word. Although he’s just one man holding court on a big stage, it almost feels like you could be sitting in your local, being told each tale whilst hanging on to his every word over a drink or two.
Having a sense of humour clearly helps in the force and Sutton doesn’t shy away from revealing the frustrations and setbacks that plague police work hinting at a constant lack of resources, something that is clearly evident even now. The sheer volume of paperwork involved in such investigations is staggering, he revealed, with one case involving a mind-boggling 65,000 documents, some that could be up to 100 pages each. However, he was quick to point out that when it comes to murder enquiries, no expense is spared although, did you know that officers who are hunting a murderer are unarmed until the suspect is apprehended and then the armed officers are called in.
“The Makings of a Murderer” is a stark reminder of the dedication and commitment of the police force across London and the UK. We are lucky to have a police force who are tirelessly working to bring justice to victims and their families, often in the face of immense challenges and it’s all too easy to forget how many lives will have been saved due to the police catching these murderers and putting them behind bars. One audience member even gave a spontaneous standing ovation at the end of the show, and thanked Sutton for such a compelling evening. Sentiments which pretty much echoed what everyone else in the audience was thinking. A really great night out for anyone who’s a true crime fan.
Review: Kim Tobin
The tour of “The Makings of a Murderer” stopped off at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon on Thursday and offered a chillingly fascinating glimpse into the world of real-life crime, delivered with compelling candour by none other than the man himself, Colin Sutton.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that those of us who enjoy a good crime drama, like to think that we could solve the mystery ourselves by the end of the show, and so it was with my inner ‘Vera’ that I ventured off to Basildon to see if I could pick up any sleuthing tips from one of the UK’s most revered Senior Investigating Officers, now retired from the Metropolitan Police.
With a practically full house at the Towngate, it’s pretty clear that I wasn’t the only one ready to find out all the juicy details of what goes on within the depths of a murder investigation.
Like all good storytellers, Sutton begins by telling us about a couple of ‘lesser known to the public’ cases and highlights the chilling statistic that most murders will occur within a few miles of the victim's home, and that the majority of killers don't set out with premeditated intent. He also explained the difference between a ‘manhunt’, where the perpetrator is known and tracked down; and a ‘whodunnit’, where the killer must first be identified and then tracked down. He then goes on to recount the details of two disturbing cases: the murder of a young woman shot to death in Battersea and the brutal stabbing of a young gay man and the investigative techniques used in an ever difficult environment to work out just who the murderers are and details of how they are tracked and profiled.
The second act focuses on two notorious names: Levi Bellfield and Delroy Grant. This is really what the audience is here for. These chilling accounts, filled with some unbelievably horrific and terrifying details, had the audience gripped yet audibly shocked as the mindsets of these two evil humans are gradually revealed. Despite the horrors of the subject matter, Sutton’s dry, self-confessed sarcastic humour is always prevalent giving him a great connection to the audience who are agog at this every word. Although he’s just one man holding court on a big stage, it almost feels like you could be sitting in your local, being told each tale whilst hanging on to his every word over a drink or two.
Having a sense of humour clearly helps in the force and Sutton doesn’t shy away from revealing the frustrations and setbacks that plague police work hinting at a constant lack of resources, something that is clearly evident even now. The sheer volume of paperwork involved in such investigations is staggering, he revealed, with one case involving a mind-boggling 65,000 documents, some that could be up to 100 pages each. However, he was quick to point out that when it comes to murder enquiries, no expense is spared although, did you know that officers who are hunting a murderer are unarmed until the suspect is apprehended and then the armed officers are called in.
“The Makings of a Murderer” is a stark reminder of the dedication and commitment of the police force across London and the UK. We are lucky to have a police force who are tirelessly working to bring justice to victims and their families, often in the face of immense challenges and it’s all too easy to forget how many lives will have been saved due to the police catching these murderers and putting them behind bars. One audience member even gave a spontaneous standing ovation at the end of the show, and thanked Sutton for such a compelling evening. Sentiments which pretty much echoed what everyone else in the audience was thinking. A really great night out for anyone who’s a true crime fan.
Review: Kim Tobin
Following sell-out shows nationwide, the UK’s top true crime theatre tour is back with a brand-new lineup!
Featuring Senior Investigating officer Colin Sutton, who caught serial killer Levi Bellfield and ‘Night Stalker’ Delroy Grant.
Join us for a chilling, thrilling night at the theatre as Colin, who was head of a Metropolitan Police Murder Squad, tells us the stories of how he caught some of the UK’s most evil murderers.
In this all-new show, Colin - who the ITV drama series ‘Manhunt,’ played by Martin Clunes, is based on - will talk you through his remarkable career and what it is like to chase and catch a serial killer.
Don’t miss this unique and one-off night at the theatre - for true crime fans and theatre goers alike.
The Makings of a Murderer 2 – A Crime Thriller night at the Theatre!
Entertainers presents
The Makings of a Murderer 2 – The Real Manhunter
Towngate Theatre,
St Martins Square,
Basildon,
Essex,
SS14 1DL
Thursday 30th January
At 19:30 pm
Tickets: £31
Social Media:
Instagram: TheMakingsofAMurderer
Facebook: TheMakingsofaMRDR
Twitter: MakingsofMRDR
Featuring Senior Investigating officer Colin Sutton, who caught serial killer Levi Bellfield and ‘Night Stalker’ Delroy Grant.
Join us for a chilling, thrilling night at the theatre as Colin, who was head of a Metropolitan Police Murder Squad, tells us the stories of how he caught some of the UK’s most evil murderers.
In this all-new show, Colin - who the ITV drama series ‘Manhunt,’ played by Martin Clunes, is based on - will talk you through his remarkable career and what it is like to chase and catch a serial killer.
Don’t miss this unique and one-off night at the theatre - for true crime fans and theatre goers alike.
The Makings of a Murderer 2 – A Crime Thriller night at the Theatre!
Entertainers presents
The Makings of a Murderer 2 – The Real Manhunter
Towngate Theatre,
St Martins Square,
Basildon,
Essex,
SS14 1DL
Thursday 30th January
At 19:30 pm
Tickets: £31
Social Media:
Instagram: TheMakingsofAMurderer
Facebook: TheMakingsofaMRDR
Twitter: MakingsofMRDR