Dragon Review: Murder at Midnight – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 1 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 1 Oct, 2025

Susie Blake as Shirley with her son Jonny the Cylops played by Jason Durr All Photos Pamela Raith

By Ference Hepp

It is not easy to describe this show!

The writer and director suggest: a roller coaster full of action and visual humour, something both very dark and quite comic, a murder mystery, a farce, a gangster thriller and a darkly funny dissection of family life. It is certainly all of these.

We are in a luxury Kent mansion, where we discover a horrific murder scene, investigated by a couple of police officers. However, the murder weapons and the clues are numerous, and not representative of your typical modern day crime scene.

The farcical undertones are evident straight away, before we are then taken back by a couple of hours to discover the events of the evening which led to this police investigation.

It takes a while to discover the relationships and connections between the characters, but once this becomes evident, these characters remain clear, distinct, and well maintained throughout by everyone in the cast.

Jonny the Cyclops as the one-eyed drug dealer and pig farmer is played by Jason Durr, very much in the style of an East End gangster, possibly even going as far as a caricature.

He seems to be the one in charge for the majority of the time, however, all of the characters go through a variety of emotions, and their vulnerability is clear to see under their dominant features.

Susie Blake (Shirley; Jonny’s mother) is a tour de force in any production she is in, and this is no exception. She is probably the most understated, but she is 100 per cent focused, hilarious with some great lines, and gives a masterclass just with her incredibly expressive eyes alone.

Max Bowden as undercover cop Paul and Katie McGlynn as Lisa

Max Bowden is Paul, an undercover police officer dressed up as a vicar, who gives Lisa (Katie McGlynn) a lift home after a night out, and desperately tries to keep his colleague updated about his findings but ends up getting very involved with her.

There is some great chemistry between these two. The main cast is completed by Iryna Poplavska as Cristina, Shirley’s carer, Callum Balmforth as Russell (otherwise known as Mr Fish), and Peter Moreton as Trainwreck Spencer.

Iryna Poplavska in her theatriscal debut as Cristina, Callum Balmforth as Russell and Jonny the Cyclops

This is Poplavska’s theatrical debut in the UK, having relocated to London in 2023, but you would not know this, as she gives a very accomplished performance.

Balmforth gives a multi-faceted portrayal of Russell who plays a central role in the murder spree, and Moreton has genius comical timing as Trainwreck, which is essential in this piece, as the pace is fast and furious.

Occasionally this does lead to some lines lost, but the whole cast maintain this pace and style with extreme professionalism and skill.

It is still difficult to describe what actually happens on stage, even after seeing the whole show. A lot is explained, but just as much remains a mystery. A couple of Jonny’s lines probably sum up the evening well: “I don’t know how tonight can get any more ridiculous,” and “This is turning into a right bloody farce now!”

Torben Betts’s script is unique and risky, but there are plenty of laughs in between the rather confusing plotlines.

Original Theatre are currently on tour at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre with Murder At Midnight, which is a follow-up from the 2023-24 touring production of Murder in the Dark by the same writer: Torben Betts. Both productions directed by Philip Franks.

Murder At Midnight runs until Saturday, October 4 and tickets are available via www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or 01483 440000.