Rebus: A Game Called Malice
By Ian Rankin and Simon Reade
Directed by Loveday Ingram
23 September 2024
⭐⭐⭐
When recently retired Detective Inspector John Rebus (Gray O'Brien) is invited to a dinner party on Edinburgh's plush Heriot Row, he finds himself part of a murder mystery game created by the wealthy hostess. But when an actual dead body is discovered in the house, Rebus turns his attentions and suspicions to his fellow guests.
Rebus: A Game Called Malice is a single-room play set in the opulent dining room of a home on one of the most prestigious streets in Edinburgh. It's a far cry from the dark underworld of Edinburgh that the legendary detective haunts in Ian Rankin's much-loved Rebus novels and TV series. The set is beautifully detailed and well lit; but with the dinner party setting, parlour games and posh characters, this feels more like an Agatha Christie than a Rebus story.
The writing, as expected from Ian Rankin, is clever and funny, and the script is deftly performed by a cast of top-quality actors. Gray O'Brien does a fine job with the iconic character of John Rebus. He's charismatic and convincing, and could easily carry the role forward in future Rebus stories. But O'Brien doesn't have a whole lot to do in 'A Game Called Malice.' Oddly Rebus is not that well developed here. There's little to hint at the flawed, rule-breaking maverick we know from the books.
'A Game Called Malice' leans more towards the 'cosy-crime' genre than the hard-hitting Rebus stories I'm familiar with. There's no real jeopardy or edge-of-the-seat drama; there's nothing too dark or unsettling on display. It is however a well staged, ably performed, gentle murder mystery with plenty of twists, turns and revelations. (It's important to pay attention in act one because some of the throw away comments made by the dinner party patrons become important later on!) The story is intriguing enough to hold the attention of the entire theatre, and the "whodunnit" keeps the audience guessing until the very end.
There's not really enough 'John Rebus' here to warrant the play's title; This could be any ex-detective at a dinner party gone-wrong. But it is an enjoyable, jolly take on the murder-mystery genre and well worth your time.
⭐⭐⭐
Ian Rankin's Rebus: A Game Called Malice plays Glasgow Pavilion Theatre until Friday 27 September and then continues on tour. | Jump to tour listings
There will be a post-show Q&A with Ian Rankin after the show at the Pavilion on Tuesday 24 September!
📸 production photos: Nobby Clark
What else is on in Glasgow's Theatres this month: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/post/whats-on-glasgow-theatre-september-2024
Rebus: A Game Called Malice Cast
Gray O’Brien John Rebus
Abigail Thaw Stephanie Jeffries
Billy Hartman Jack Fleming
Jade Kennedy Candida Jones
Teresa Banham Harriet Goodwin
Neil McKinven Paul
Rebus: A Game Called Malice Tour Dates
Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge
29 August – 7 September
Box Office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
10 – 14 September
Box Office: 0131 529 6000 / www.capitaltheatres.com
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
16 – 21 September
Box Office: 01224 641122 / www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
23 – 27 September
Box Office: 0141 332 1846 / https://trafalgartickets.com/pavilion-theatre-glasgow/en-GB
Theatre Royal Bath, Bath
30 September – 5 October
Box Office: 01225 448844 / www.theatreroyal.org.uk
New Theatre, Cardiff
7 – 12 October
Box Office: 0343 310 0041 / https://trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB
York Theatre Royal, York
15 – 19 October
Box Office: 01904 623568 / www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Malvern Theatres, Malvern
21 – 26 October
Box Office: 01684 892277 / www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
Oxford Playhouse, Oxford
29 October – 2 November
Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
5 – 9 November
Box Office: 01242 572573 / www.everymantheatre.org.uk
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
19 – 23 November
Box Office: 01483 44 00 00 / www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
Lighthouse, Poole
26 – 30 November
Box Office: 01202 280000 / www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Rebus: A Game Called Malice review, Ian Rankin, Rebus play.
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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