[Ad- gifted experience] Featuring John Rebus, a retired detective from Ian Rankin’s detective novels, Rebus: A Game Called Malice brings him to the stage, showcasing something beyond the previously written books and bringing a story to a different medium. This performance is sort of a murder mystery, but at the same time, the characters are also trying to solve a murder mystery at the end of an evening dinner.
In Rebus: A Game Called Malice, the start and build up is slow. There is a bunch of introductions and small talk between the various characters, as you sort of figure out who is there and why. A couple live at the place, hosting the dinner party. Another couple have attended, as the husband gambles with the husband hosting. A lawyer was invited, and she invited the detective as her friend. John Rebus agreed for personal reasons, as he felt there was more to a long-ended case than what was told.
As they all get to know each other more and the audience gets to know them, there was laughter around the crowd. This group of people were all very different; a lawyer, a young social media influencer, a retired working class detective, a tired house wife, a controlling husband, a slimy feeling man who is only really known for running casinos… they wouldn’t often all be found in a room together, yet here they are. All of them seem to bounce off of each other, having conversations about their various jobs or the things they enjoy. It’s clear there is tension, especially between the two men in the group. That is, until a dead man is found in the guest bedroom.
The rest of the story is around figuring out who could have possibly killed this person and who exactly this mystery man even is. It’s a slow build, and at the break Dann had thought he had the whole thing figured out; but Rebus: A Game Called Malice is one with a few twists up it’s sleeves. In the end, everyone ends up revealing their own secrets, who they are, and you do find out how this dead man ended up in the guest bedroom during a fancy dinner party!
We both enjoy these murder mystery style shows, and found that Rebus: A Game Called Malice was a nice, relaxing one to enjoy. Unlike murder mystery movies these days, there was no blood, no second, third, forth and so on death, and not a lot of danger. Just the slow unravelling of a story, which made for a very captivating watch.
You can check out our other Days Out to see what else we’ve been up too!
I miss going to plays so much!!! A Game Called Malice seems so much fun, I would love to see it, soon I hope!
I like slow build-up shows and it’s usually at the end that the twists and secrets of the characters show up. I would love to see this show.
Live shows sound like so much fun. This sounds like a very entertaining performance. Looks like you’ve had a nice time!
I have not watched a murder mystery style show before hence would love to see Rebus: A Game Called Malice. Glad you both had a lovely evening watching the show
It’s been long I have watched any play. This one looks good to watch.
We attended something similar and it was so good. This kind of thing is fun.