★★★★★ Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story
A musical based on a pair of murderers set in Chicago seems an
unusual, even unlikely, premise but we have encountered the fabulous, yet
fictional, Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart in the past – all murder and jazz hands!
Real-life murderers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, the subject for Thrill Me
currently at the Hope Theatre, are an entirely different proposition. No froth
here just menacing fear.
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Bart Lambert and Jack Reitman |
Set in Chicago in 1924, Richard Loeb is obsessed with crime.
Nathan Leopold is obsessed with Richard. They sign a contract in blood to
satisfy each other’s needs and embark on an intense sexual relationship powered
by the thrill of committing a crime. But Richard soon tires of arson, theft and
petty vandalism. Under the delusion that he is an Ubermensch - a concept in the
philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche - and above morality and law, he ropes Nathan
into committing the perfect murder for the ultimate turn-on. They become the
Thrill Killers.
With the very apt production strapline, Relationships Can Be
Murder!, Matthew Parker’s stunning new production of Stephen Dolginoff’s Thrill
Me is beautifully crafted: taut, sinister and ultimately disturbing – a
masterclass in delusion and obsession. From the minute, you enter Rachael Ryan’s
fastidiously observed set with Simon Arrowsmith’s subtly enveloping soundscape,
the scene is set for this nugget of passion and fixation.
Bart Lambert as Nathan Leopold and Jack Reitman as Richard Loeb
are fascinating to watch as their unhealthy relationship slowly unravels.
Lambert is captivating as his obsession with Loeb unfolds; his need is visible
in the sinewy infatuation evident in every muscle of his body. Reitman
worryingly conveys the sheer manipulative menace of his unhealthy superior
obsession and penchant for both physical and mental cruelty - two genuinely
beautifully mature performances. And, lest we forget, Thrill Me is a musical
and, under the direction of Tim Shaw, the score and the vocal performances are
cleverly, almost seamlessly, integrated into the dark narrative.
Matthew Parker’s production of Thrill Me is decidedly a
glittering gem in that black box known as The Hope Theatre. Don’t miss it!
Thrill Me: The Leopold
& Loeb Story
Book, music & lyrics by STEPHEN DOLGINOFF
Directed by MATTHEW PARKER
Photos by LH Photoshoots
Book here http://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/thrill-me-the-leopold-loeb-story/
Photos by LH Photoshoots
Book here http://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/thrill-me-the-leopold-loeb-story/
2 - 20 Apr 2019
7.45pm
£15/12
Tues to Sat only.
No shows Sun & Mon.
No shows Sun & Mon.
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