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Life at The Little Theatre column: It's show week!

The latest news from Southport's Little Theatre

Georgina Highcock

InYourArea Community, Georgina Highcock

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Life at The Little Theatre column: It's show week!

SHOWTIME: Liam Rabbette as Clifford and Gary Simpson as Sidney

By Jennifer Corcoran and Andrew Sloman

The excitement is building as the stage is set for our next production – Ira Levin’s classic edge-of-your-seat comedy-thriller, Deathtrap which opens this Friday.

Our intrepid cast and production team have worked hard to build up the tension and create the atmosphere for one of the most entertaining, funniest and exhilarating thrillers in theatre. The whole play takes place in the study of washed-up playwright, Sidney Bruhl, played with relish by highly experienced actor and director, Gary Simpson.

ANTIQUES AND WEAPONS: An image from the set

It is a room tastefully decorated with antiques – and multiple weapons from his shows! He invites young aspiring writer, Clifford Anderson to visit with the possibility hanging in the air that he will kill the young man and take credit for the can’t-miss new play Clifford has penned. Clifford is played for us by the fresh-faced, but imposing Liam Rabbette, who at 26 already has a string of leading characters in both musicals and plays under his belt.

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Sidney’s wife, Myra, played by Cath Fisher for her third major character in 2 years for the SDC, becomes nervous of her husband’s behaviour when Clifford arrives – and that’s when the fun really begins. Wendy Cox is hilarious in her first on-stage role for the club (she was in, but only heard off-stage, in Mom’s Gift!) as the exuberant Dutch psychic Helga Ten-Dorp. The SDC stalwart Leslie Cheesman, master of character roles, plays the fifth character – the officious lawyer, Porter Milgrim.

The production team have played a blinder in creating the imposing New England colonial house setting, with sound and lighting really enhancing the atmosphere. We have five excellent actors, a killer script packed with humour, twists, turns and thrills galore, a fantastic set and a guaranteed great night out! Don’t miss this one!

FIVE EXCELLENT ACTORS: Gary Simpson as Sidney (seated) and Leslie Cheesman as Porter

And we’re only a month off our spectacular family pantomime – Sleeping Beauty. An equally strong cast and team will make that a magical experience for all.

To book for Deathtrap - and also for our family pantomime spectacular, Sleeping Beauty and the rest of our 2022/23 season – go to the Little Theatre Southport website , or visit the box office in person/ ring 01704 530521 between 11am to 1pm – and from 6pm to curtain up on show nights.

For more information about Southport Dramatic Club, visit our website. For updates, competitions and more follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The Little Theatre is at Hoghton Street, Southport, Merseyside.

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