Deathtrap (play)
Encyclopedia
Deathtrap is a play by Ira Levin
in 1978 which encompasses many plot twists and is essentially a play within a play. It is a play in two acts with one set and five characters. It holds the record for the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway
and was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play
. Deathtrap was well received by many and can still be seen in theatres thirty years after its release. The play was later adapted into a film
starring Christopher Reeve
, Michael Caine
, and Dyan Cannon
.
The play begins with accomplished writer Sidney Bruhl finding himself having trouble writing the next big play. After his last few productions flop in the box office, he becomes desperate. He then reads a play by young writer Clifford Anderson and decides to steal it and kill him.
SCENE 2
Clifford stops by Sidney’s office to get his opinion on the play, and while he being asked questions that allude to murder, he is killed as Sidney’s wife, Myra, looks on in horror. Sidney then wraps Clifford in a rug and immediately ignores what he has done by babbling on about how he plans to take credit for the play.
SCENE 3
While returning after ridding himself of Clifford’s body, psychic Helga ten Dorp drops by to tell them that she is receiving bad vibes from the house. Helga wanders around the house revealing trivial information while missing the important facts. After she leaves, Sidney becomes elated at the fact that Helga had not discovered the murder. As he goes to turn off the lights he is snatched by Clifford, who is covered in mud. Clifford proceeds to attack Sidney as Helga predicted. Myra, in shock of the night’s events, collapses in an apparent heart attack. After Clifford confirms Myra’s death, he happily informs Sidney that the plan had worked. The apparent “murder” had all been an act to shock and kill Myra, so that they could be together.
ACT II, SCENE 1
The second act opens with Clifford writing his manuscript, as Sidney sits with writer’s block even after two weeks have passed. Porter Milgrim, Sidney’s attorney, reveals to Sidney that he had seen Clifford locking his manuscript away and tells him to not fully put his trust in Clifford. Sidney decides to sneak and read the manuscript when he gets the chance and finds that Clifford is writing a play called Deathtrap, which reveals their whole plot for Myra’s murder. Sidney confronts Clifford only to be persuaded into believing that since the murder was so clever, they would never be caught.
SCENE 2
Helga once again reveals to Sidney that she has a bad feeling about Clifford. After she leaves, Sidney calls Clifford over and tells him that he is ready to show the progression of act 2. Sidney asks Clifford to act out parts of the second act including violent struggle, then reveals the struggle was to enable him to have evidence to show why he needed to kill Clifford and that he plans to burn any remnants of Deathtrap. Sidney goes to shoot Clifford but the bullets in his gun have been replaced by blanks, then Clifford pulls out a gun with real bullets and handcuffs Sidney to a chair. Sidney escapes because the handcuffs are fake and then Sidney grabs and shoots Clifford with a crossbow. Sidney then grabs the phone to call the police, thinking that the fight is over. As Sidney calls, Clifford raises up behind him and pulls the arrow from his body and stabs him. In the end, both of them die.
SCENE 3
The play ends with Helga and Porter wandering through the room as she reveals the events that led to their death. In a discussion of the play, both Helga and Porter realize that it would be a great thriller and begin to argue about who should claim the play as their own, while the curtains close.
tryout at the Wilbur Theatre
, Deathtrap enjoyed a four year run on Broadway, opening under the direction of Robert Moore
on February 26, 1978, at the Music Box Theatre
, moving to the Biltmore Theatre
on January 7, 1982, and closing on June 13 of that year. It received a rave review from New York Times theater critic Walter Kerr
, who wrote that it contained "Effrontery everywhere; and fun straight through." However, the Times' other theater critic, Richard Eder
, panned the play.
The opening cast featured:
Seldes appeared in every one of the play's 1,809 performances, a feat that earned her a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records
as "most durable actress."
Cast replacements as Sidney included Stacey Keach, John Cullum
, Robert Reed
, and Farley Granger
.
A revival, directed by Matthew Warchus
, opened in London
at the Noël Coward Theatre
on 21st August 2010, starring Simon Russell Beale
as Sidney, Claire Skinner
as Myra, Jonathan Groff
as Clifford, Estelle Parsons
as Helga and Terry Beaver as Porter.
.
In 1982, Deathtrap was adapted into a film of the same name
.
Ira Levin
Ira Levin was an American author, dramatist and songwriter.-Professional life:Levin attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa...
in 1978 which encompasses many plot twists and is essentially a play within a play. It is a play in two acts with one set and five characters. It holds the record for the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play
Tony Award for Best Play
The Tony Award for Best Play is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theatre, including musical theatre, honoring productions on Broadway in New York. It currently takes place in mid-June each year.There was no award in the Tony's first year...
. Deathtrap was well received by many and can still be seen in theatres thirty years after its release. The play was later adapted into a film
Deathtrap (film)
Deathtrap is a 1982 thriller film based on Ira Levin's play of the same name.The cast includes Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon, Irene Worth and Henry Jones...
starring Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author and activist...
, Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
, and Dyan Cannon
Dyan Cannon
Dyan Cannon is an American film and television actress, director, screenwriter, editor, and producer.-Early life:...
.
Synopsis
ACT I, SCENE 1The play begins with accomplished writer Sidney Bruhl finding himself having trouble writing the next big play. After his last few productions flop in the box office, he becomes desperate. He then reads a play by young writer Clifford Anderson and decides to steal it and kill him.
SCENE 2
Clifford stops by Sidney’s office to get his opinion on the play, and while he being asked questions that allude to murder, he is killed as Sidney’s wife, Myra, looks on in horror. Sidney then wraps Clifford in a rug and immediately ignores what he has done by babbling on about how he plans to take credit for the play.
SCENE 3
While returning after ridding himself of Clifford’s body, psychic Helga ten Dorp drops by to tell them that she is receiving bad vibes from the house. Helga wanders around the house revealing trivial information while missing the important facts. After she leaves, Sidney becomes elated at the fact that Helga had not discovered the murder. As he goes to turn off the lights he is snatched by Clifford, who is covered in mud. Clifford proceeds to attack Sidney as Helga predicted. Myra, in shock of the night’s events, collapses in an apparent heart attack. After Clifford confirms Myra’s death, he happily informs Sidney that the plan had worked. The apparent “murder” had all been an act to shock and kill Myra, so that they could be together.
ACT II, SCENE 1
The second act opens with Clifford writing his manuscript, as Sidney sits with writer’s block even after two weeks have passed. Porter Milgrim, Sidney’s attorney, reveals to Sidney that he had seen Clifford locking his manuscript away and tells him to not fully put his trust in Clifford. Sidney decides to sneak and read the manuscript when he gets the chance and finds that Clifford is writing a play called Deathtrap, which reveals their whole plot for Myra’s murder. Sidney confronts Clifford only to be persuaded into believing that since the murder was so clever, they would never be caught.
SCENE 2
Helga once again reveals to Sidney that she has a bad feeling about Clifford. After she leaves, Sidney calls Clifford over and tells him that he is ready to show the progression of act 2. Sidney asks Clifford to act out parts of the second act including violent struggle, then reveals the struggle was to enable him to have evidence to show why he needed to kill Clifford and that he plans to burn any remnants of Deathtrap. Sidney goes to shoot Clifford but the bullets in his gun have been replaced by blanks, then Clifford pulls out a gun with real bullets and handcuffs Sidney to a chair. Sidney escapes because the handcuffs are fake and then Sidney grabs and shoots Clifford with a crossbow. Sidney then grabs the phone to call the police, thinking that the fight is over. As Sidney calls, Clifford raises up behind him and pulls the arrow from his body and stabs him. In the end, both of them die.
SCENE 3
The play ends with Helga and Porter wandering through the room as she reveals the events that led to their death. In a discussion of the play, both Helga and Porter realize that it would be a great thriller and begin to argue about who should claim the play as their own, while the curtains close.
Production history
Following a BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
tryout at the Wilbur Theatre
Wilbur Theatre
Wilbur Theatre is a historic theater at 244-250 Tremont Street in Boston, Massachusetts. It is located in Boston's theatre district.Clarence Blackall built the theatre in 1913. The National Historic Register added the Wilbur in 1980....
, Deathtrap enjoyed a four year run on Broadway, opening under the direction of Robert Moore
Robert Moore
Robert Moore may refer to:*Robert Moore , Northern Ireland theologian and politician*Robert Moore , United States Congressman from Pennsylvania...
on February 26, 1978, at the Music Box Theatre
Music Box Theatre
The Music Box Theater is a Broadway theatre located at 239 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan.The once most aptly named theater on Broadway, the intimate Music Box was designed by architect C. Howard Crane and constructed by composer Irving Berlin and producer Sam H. Harris specifically to...
, moving to the Biltmore Theatre
Biltmore Theatre
The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 261 West 47th Street in midtown-Manhattan.-History:...
on January 7, 1982, and closing on June 13 of that year. It received a rave review from New York Times theater critic Walter Kerr
Walter Kerr
For the RN admiral see Lord Walter KerrWalter Francis Kerr was an American writer and Broadway theater critic. He also was the writer, lyricist, and/or director of several Broadway plays and musicals.-Biography:...
, who wrote that it contained "Effrontery everywhere; and fun straight through." However, the Times' other theater critic, Richard Eder
Richard Eder
Richard Eder was for 20 years variously a foreign correspondent, a film reviewer and the drama critic for the New York Times. Subsequently he was book critic for the Los Angeles Times, winning a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism and the National Book Critics Circle annual citation...
, panned the play.
The opening cast featured:
- Sidney Bruhl - John WoodJohn Wood (English actor)John Wood, CBE was an English actor.-Biography:Wood was born in Derbyshire and studied law at Jesus College, Oxford where he was president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. Changing to drama, Wood became known as a stage actor, appearing in numerous West End productions as well as on...
- Myra Bruhl - Marian SeldesMarian SeldesMarian Hall Seldes is an American stage, film, radio, and television actress whose career has spanned six decades and who was elected to the American Theatre Hall of Fame.-Life and career:...
- Clifford Anderson - Victor GarberVictor GarberVictor Joseph Garber is a Canadian film, stage and television actor and singer. Garber is known for playing Jesus in Godspell, Jack Bristow in the television series Alias, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, and Thomas Andrews in James Cameron's Titanic.-Early life:Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Garber is...
- Helga ten Dorp - Marian WintersMarian WintersMarian Winters was an American actress of stage, film, and television.-Biography:Born in New York City, New York to a Jewish-American family, Winters made her debut in summerstock at age sixteen. She attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn.She began her career on Broadway understudying...
- Porter Milgrim - Richard Woods
Seldes appeared in every one of the play's 1,809 performances, a feat that earned her a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
as "most durable actress."
Cast replacements as Sidney included Stacey Keach, John Cullum
John Cullum
John Cullum is an American actor and singer. He has appeared in many stage musicals and dramas, including On the Twentieth Century and Shenandoah , winning the Tony Awards for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for each...
, Robert Reed
Robert Reed
Robert Reed was a prolific American character actor of stage, film and television. In his first big break, he played Kenneth Preston on the popular 1960s TV legal drama, The Defenders, alongside E. G. Marshall. But he was best remembered for portraying the father, Mike Brady, on the popular...
, and Farley Granger
Farley Granger
Farley Earle Granger was an American actor. In a career spanning several decades, he was perhaps best known for his two collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Rope in 1948 and Strangers on a Train in 1951.-Early life:...
.
A revival, directed by Matthew Warchus
Matthew Warchus
-Life:Warchus studied music and drama at Bristol University. He has directed for the National Youth Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Donmar Warehouse, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre, Opera North, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera and in the West...
, opened in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the Noël Coward Theatre
Noël Coward Theatre
The Noël Coward Theatre, formerly known as the Albery Theatre, is a West End theatre on St. Martin's Lane in the City of Westminster. It opened on 12 March 1903 as the New Theatre and was built by Sir Charles Wyndham behind Wyndham's Theatre which was completed in 1899. The building was designed by...
on 21st August 2010, starring Simon Russell Beale
Simon Russell Beale
Simon Russell Beale, CBE is an English actor. He has been described by The Independent as "the greatest stage actor of his generation."-Early years:...
as Sidney, Claire Skinner
Claire Skinner
Claire L. Skinner is an English actress, who is well known in the United Kingdom for her television career.-Biography:Born and brought up in Hemel Hempstead, Skinner, the youngest daughter of a shopkeeper and an Irish-born secretary, was immensely shy as a child...
as Myra, Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Drew Groff is an American singer-songwriter, stage, television and film actor. He originated the role of Melchior Gabor in the stage musical Spring Awakening and appeared as Jesse St...
as Clifford, Estelle Parsons
Estelle Parsons
Estelle Margaret Parsons is an American theatre, film and television actress and occasional theatrical director.After studying law, Parsons became a singer before deciding to pursue a career in acting. She worked for the television program Today and made her stage debut in 1961...
as Helga and Terry Beaver as Porter.
Awards
Deathtrap was nominated in 1978 for a Tony Award for Best Play. Levin also received his second Edgar AwardEdgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
.
Reception
The play is known as one of the biggest hits on Broadway. It ran for four years with over 1800 performances. Deathtrap has been said to be “something so evil that it infects all who touch it. The thing has a life of its own. In Deathtrap Levin has taken the basic components of thrillers and horror stories; murder, deceit, innocent dialogue with hidden sinister meanings, plot reversals, unexpected turns of events, etc., and twisted and rearranged the pieces again and again.” Thirty years after its release, it is still being performed in theaters around the globe.In 1982, Deathtrap was adapted into a film of the same name
Deathtrap (film)
Deathtrap is a 1982 thriller film based on Ira Levin's play of the same name.The cast includes Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon, Irene Worth and Henry Jones...
.