Thrills, Chills and Witty, Too


Anthony Shaffer’s “Sleuth,� at Barrington Stage, requires audience members to suspend disbelief to fully enjoy this clever and elaborate mystery that pokes appreciative fun at murder mysteries.

   No one is ever what he seems in this whodunit, and every incident is bizarre. In a pleasant but imposing English country house owned by a prominent mystery writer, Andrew Wyke, a young man, arrives. Wyke and Milo Tindle begin a friendly round of scotch and conversation. Suddenly the host says, “I understand you want to marry my wife,â€� and, from that moment, the two are locked in conflict.

   The games that are concocted, the murders plotted and threatened, escalate the tension until the unexpected denouement.

   Wyke is also a game player whose living room holds various items of challenging entertainment — a chess game and a pool table.  A hidden bar and a closet appear at the touch of a button.  All these elements surface and add texture to Wyke’s character as the intricate plot evolves.

   In addition to the mystery aspects of the plot, there is a good amount of humor, especially in the hands of Charles Shaughnessy who portrays Wyke.  Shaughnessy, best known as Mr. Sheffield in the hilarious TV sitcom “The Nanny,â€� uses his well-perfected comedic timing to add sardonic layers to his characterization.  He is an accomplished performer who possesses the strength and grace that allow him to hold the stage.

   Jeremy Bobb’s Milo Tindle is a fitting foil for Shaughnessy, garnering his share of laughs and adding interest to the complex story. As the young lover, he is properly earnest in his determination to get what he wants. Tindle, of a much lower status than the wealthy author, appears to be gullible and somewhat naive. These qualities come back to haunt him and to add interest to the duel of wits.

   David Barber’s rich set complements the plot by its use of cantilevered walls and sturdy but spare furniture. As befits a writer’s home, the walls are filled with books that tower over the convolutions of the plot.

   Director Jesse Berger’s use of a loudly ticking clock creates the mood of the play from the moment the audience enters the theater.  He wisely maintains a strong pace to cover some of the weaknesses in the script.  This keeps the audience firmly engrossed in this witty and baffling play.

“Sleuth� runs at Barrington Stage in Pittsfield, MA, through Aug. 1. For tickets, call 413-236-8888.

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