Talking Scarlet present
Strictly Murder
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
24th and 25th July 2017
Strictly Murder
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
24th and 25th July 2017
Strictly Murder is coming to Southend’s Palace Theatre on 24th July and will be playing for just two nights and a matinee performance on 25th. What makes this play rather special is that it has been directed by the playwright’s son, Samuel Clemens and, if you’re thinking that the name sounds familiar, that’s because Samuel’s father was prolific writer, Brian Clemens OBE, most famously known for The Avengers and The Professionals and also wrote for The Persuaders, Remington Steele, Bergerac, Diagnosis: Murder as well as writing for film and theatre.
I was invited, by Samuel, to come and meet the cast and see the play during its stop off at Basildon’s Towngate Theatre last month. Sam’s passion for this play is infectious and within minutes of meeting he is guiding me on to the Towngate Theatre’s stage, where I find myself transported back to 1939 and inside a small, stonewalled French farmhouse complete with stove, working sink, sofa and table and chairs. Samuel’s dad was a master of thriller writing and although he wrote the play in 2006, he wanted to write about a time where modern gadgetry had no part in everyday life, as it does now-a-days.
Sadly, Brian Clemens passed away in 2015 but his writing is being kept very much alive with Samuel’s obvious enthusiasm for directing his father’s play and making sure he gets it ‘just right’. Clearly hugely proud of his father's writing achievements, he tells me that he had many conversations with his father about who could play certain characters in his play and feels strongly that his dad would be really pleased with the cast that has been chosen and with what he has been able to do with the production.
Hear what the cast have to say about being part of this fabulous production in our interview below...
Photo credit: Steve Le Grys
I was invited, by Samuel, to come and meet the cast and see the play during its stop off at Basildon’s Towngate Theatre last month. Sam’s passion for this play is infectious and within minutes of meeting he is guiding me on to the Towngate Theatre’s stage, where I find myself transported back to 1939 and inside a small, stonewalled French farmhouse complete with stove, working sink, sofa and table and chairs. Samuel’s dad was a master of thriller writing and although he wrote the play in 2006, he wanted to write about a time where modern gadgetry had no part in everyday life, as it does now-a-days.
Sadly, Brian Clemens passed away in 2015 but his writing is being kept very much alive with Samuel’s obvious enthusiasm for directing his father’s play and making sure he gets it ‘just right’. Clearly hugely proud of his father's writing achievements, he tells me that he had many conversations with his father about who could play certain characters in his play and feels strongly that his dad would be really pleased with the cast that has been chosen and with what he has been able to do with the production.
Hear what the cast have to say about being part of this fabulous production in our interview below...
Photo credit: Steve Le Grys
Leading the cast is Brian Capron, who most will remember as the evil Richard Hillman in Coronation Street, along with Gary Turner (Carloz Diaz in Emmerdale), Corrinne Wicks who played Ella in Emmerdale as well as Lara Lemon (winner of two Best Supporting Actress awards for her film role in Off-Piste) and London’s Burning actor, Andrew Fettes. They all join me on the stage as we sit down to have a quick chat about their roles in this exciting thriller, which features so many nail-biting twists and turns that they find it hard not to reveal too much information about the play, and also so as not to spoil my enjoyment of watching it later that evening.
Set in Provence during the April of 1939 the play centres around English couple, Peter and Suzy, played by Gary and Lara, who are living in idyllic isolation; far, it seems from the rumblings of the oncoming war. Their peace is suddenly shattered by a stranger from Peter’s past who unearths secrets from a buried and hidden life, which throws Suzy’s world into turmoil. In a world where the Third Reich is emerging as a dangerous regime, deceit, lies and subterfuge make this fast paced thriller a dark and nail-biting rollercoaster.
Knowing how much Southend audiences love a good thriller, Strictly Murder is definitely one to put in your diaries. As Talking Scarlet is only going to be at The Palace for two nights, I suggest you grab your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Buy online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
My interview with Samuel Clemens, talking about Strictly Murder, his father and exciting future projects. Click here!
Set in Provence during the April of 1939 the play centres around English couple, Peter and Suzy, played by Gary and Lara, who are living in idyllic isolation; far, it seems from the rumblings of the oncoming war. Their peace is suddenly shattered by a stranger from Peter’s past who unearths secrets from a buried and hidden life, which throws Suzy’s world into turmoil. In a world where the Third Reich is emerging as a dangerous regime, deceit, lies and subterfuge make this fast paced thriller a dark and nail-biting rollercoaster.
Knowing how much Southend audiences love a good thriller, Strictly Murder is definitely one to put in your diaries. As Talking Scarlet is only going to be at The Palace for two nights, I suggest you grab your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Buy online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
My interview with Samuel Clemens, talking about Strictly Murder, his father and exciting future projects. Click here!