Scene stealer sparks clever `Deathtrap’

Theater review

Anyone suffering from “thrilleritis malingus,” (a literary disease that causes you to feel euphoric about thriller plots) should see the Skowhegan Regional Theater presentation of Ira Levin’s two-act thriller “Deathtrap.”

This whodunit, which was popularized by the 1982 movie, has a witty and exciting plot. The action of the play occurs in the study of Sidney Bruhl, a jaded playwright suffering from writer’s block and marital malaise. He plots a murder, and at the same time plants the seed for what he hopes will be his next block-buster play, also called “Deathtrap.”

Just exactly who will receive the credit for this play, however, is the dangerous controversy that becomes the central issue for the five characters.

The intriguing element of this play is that the plot of the fabled “Deathtrap” runs along the same lines as the actual “Deathtrap” that we, the audience, are watching. We are constantly reminded of how the thriller genre constructs itself and what our role as a gracious audience is. The result is an entertaining and engaging parody.

The Park Street Players, under the direction of Judith Maunder-Curran, are accomplices to the success of the show. In the lead role of Sidney, Robert Blaisdell has skillful comic timing and inflection. His dramatics are convincing, lively and expressive.

As Clifford Smith, Sidney’s olympian lover, Andy Smith shows promise. His return-from-the-dead scene is startling, gory and strikingly reminiscent of scenes from Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary.”

Although Blaisdell and Smith are effective in their individual roles, the relationship between their characters is less convincing. They lack the connection that would be necessary to motivate lovers to commit such a well-organized crime.

Anna Freeman steals the show with her hilarious and thorough presentation of Helga Ten Dorp, a bohemian psychic whose ESP offers important clues for the resolution of the mystery. She is the hero of the play, and Freeman never falls short of a heroic performance.

Darla Pickett as Sidney’s supposedly hysterical wife and Terry Mcmanus as Sidney’s lawyer are somewhat bland compared to the other players, but as community theater actors they seem have fun with their roles. Pickett progresses as the action of the play progresses, and during a climactic scene, she belts out some horrifically convincing screams.

Sumner Hayward has constructed a realistic and pleasing set, complete with guns, handcuffs, swords, battle axes and a mace.

Makeup design and fight choreography are both impressive details that add to the sophistication of this community theater event.

“Deathtrap” will be performed at 8 p.m. July 5-7 at Constitution Hall, Skowhegan State Fair Grounds. For information, call 474-6710.