Rebus: A Game Called Malice
Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
September 23 2024
Ian Rankin has dusted down his retired detective John Rebus in this original work for stage but somehow it fails to set the heather on fire.
You’ll certainly not get a feeling of any real malice aforethought and it is a far cry from Edinburgh’s seedy underbelly.
But there is no doubt it will keep you guessing until the end.
Gray O’Brien is a wonderful casting as Rebus managing to ditch the character’s troubled, curmudgeonly cop persona for an altogether fresh take of sharp wit, polished dress sense and sleek deductions.
And while Rebus spends more time reading the room than getting involved in much dialogue in the first half of this one act play, O’Brien certainly has stage presence.
The play is staged in the sumptuous home of Harriet and Paul Godwin, with walls bedecked in paintings of the Scottish Colourists where a dinner party is being held.
A murder mystery game written by the hostess is giving food for thought until a real dead body is discovered.
Then the secrets begin to spill out until the truth about the dead man is revealed by Rebus – who else?
O’Brien apart, however, the performances of the cast feel a bit forced and overall the play is underwhelming, albeit well written with a delicious dose of humour.
Rebus fans will enjoy adding the experience to their collection of Rankin’s dramas but there are finer examples of his work.
•Runs until Friday
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