Fatal fun and murderous twists aplenty as The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season returns to Nottingham.
Tabs Productions and the Theatre Royal, Nottingham are returning of The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2025 this August.
Now in its 38th season, the Theatre Royal’s much-loved repertory season of comedy murder mysteries and classic psychological thrillers opens on Tuesday 12 August and runs for three weeks until Saturday 30 August.
This season features three plays Death By Fatal Murder, Deathtrap and The Business of Murder.
What can you tell me about this year’s Classic Thriller Season?
Three great plays, our spoof Agatha Christie set in the 1940's, Ira Levin's Deathtrap - 1970's and The Business of Murder - 1980's. Many twists and turns and hopefully three very different nights at the theatre.
How do you approach the programme of plays you select?
It's a combination of the rights available for professional productions, (often trickier than you might think), different genres of thriller, differing time periods and a choice of plays that, as this is repertory theatre, can easily be cast through.
What does your role of producer entail on the plays?
Tabs Productions has always been very hands on, which means I get to do quite a lot. Or it could be that I'm a control freak? At least if something does go horribly wrong, the buck stops with me. Alongside the theatre, it very much is a co-production with the Theatre Royal so between us we choose the plays and secure the performing rights. I cast the plays and direct here and there and act here and there, wherever there's a part. And of course, rally our wonderful technical / design crew that have a turnover on sets of 4 days during the season.
Why do you think these stories continue to delight audiences?
It is a fascination, isn't it? Murder mysteries are all over the TV, too, of course. Even Shakespeare used the murderous intent and psychological manoeuvrings of guilt and obsession. So it must be deep in our psyche somewhere.
Having started on the Thriller Season with Colin McIntyre on his first season in 1988 (I was of course a child!!) I think the season is a wonderful reminder of the old days of weekly rep. A core of actors, all playing different parts. I certainly learned a lot as a young actress, playing parts I wouldn't normally have been cast in and with very little rehearsal by modern standards. That is another of the joys of the Thriller Season, quite a few of us have literally grown old with it, and that allows us to cut through some of the "getting to know each other" stage of rehearsal. I hope our audiences, who are incredibly loyal, (a lady told me the other day she came as a young woman and now brings her grandson along with her) still enjoy the - "Oh that's Jeremy, what's he going to play this week" aspect of it all. That it is very much a family feel for the cast and audiences to share.
What is your preparation like ahead of the season?
Normally the plays are decided and rights secured by Christmas. Then a few months of working out the budget. If I'm directing, I get a grip of where I want to go with the production. Cast in May. June and July consulting with my stage management, Production Manager, Set Designer and Wardrobe about the setting and stage set and if we need permission for any special effects (including smoking) or licences for weapons. I consult and record with our sound designer. Then jump in.
What was the first piece of theatre which had a big impact on you?
My mother, playing Annie in Annie Get Your Gun at the Guildhall Theatre in Kings Lynn for the Kings Lynn Operatic Dramatic Society.
Probably a strange answer but from that moment on, I knew that I would be on the stage. Went to Arts Educational Schools from the age of 11 and then Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was amazing. Now closing down due to various factors including lack of funding for overseas students and current FE restrictions. I'm a huge advocate of keeping drama and music on the curriculum in schools and supporting amateur societies across the country.
What gives you inspiration?
Really good acting and direction. Flashy sets? They don't impress me much.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing these plays?
Some excitement, some thrills, some laughter too. I hope they feel they've had a good night out with old friends and not paid a fortune for it!
The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season runs Tuesday 12 August until Saturday 30 August. Tickets are available https://trch.co.uk/
Tabs Productions and the Theatre Royal, Nottingham are returning of The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season 2025 this August.
Now in its 38th season, the Theatre Royal’s much-loved repertory season of comedy murder mysteries and classic psychological thrillers opens on Tuesday 12 August and runs for three weeks until Saturday 30 August.
This season features three plays Death By Fatal Murder, Deathtrap and The Business of Murder.
Ahead of the season we chatted to co-producer Karen Henson.
What can you tell me about this year’s Classic Thriller Season?
Three great plays, our spoof Agatha Christie set in the 1940's, Ira Levin's Deathtrap - 1970's and The Business of Murder - 1980's. Many twists and turns and hopefully three very different nights at the theatre.
How do you approach the programme of plays you select?
It's a combination of the rights available for professional productions, (often trickier than you might think), different genres of thriller, differing time periods and a choice of plays that, as this is repertory theatre, can easily be cast through.
What does your role of producer entail on the plays?
Tabs Productions has always been very hands on, which means I get to do quite a lot. Or it could be that I'm a control freak? At least if something does go horribly wrong, the buck stops with me. Alongside the theatre, it very much is a co-production with the Theatre Royal so between us we choose the plays and secure the performing rights. I cast the plays and direct here and there and act here and there, wherever there's a part. And of course, rally our wonderful technical / design crew that have a turnover on sets of 4 days during the season.
Why do you think these stories continue to delight audiences?
It is a fascination, isn't it? Murder mysteries are all over the TV, too, of course. Even Shakespeare used the murderous intent and psychological manoeuvrings of guilt and obsession. So it must be deep in our psyche somewhere.
Having started on the Thriller Season with Colin McIntyre on his first season in 1988 (I was of course a child!!) I think the season is a wonderful reminder of the old days of weekly rep. A core of actors, all playing different parts. I certainly learned a lot as a young actress, playing parts I wouldn't normally have been cast in and with very little rehearsal by modern standards. That is another of the joys of the Thriller Season, quite a few of us have literally grown old with it, and that allows us to cut through some of the "getting to know each other" stage of rehearsal. I hope our audiences, who are incredibly loyal, (a lady told me the other day she came as a young woman and now brings her grandson along with her) still enjoy the - "Oh that's Jeremy, what's he going to play this week" aspect of it all. That it is very much a family feel for the cast and audiences to share.
What is your preparation like ahead of the season?
Normally the plays are decided and rights secured by Christmas. Then a few months of working out the budget. If I'm directing, I get a grip of where I want to go with the production. Cast in May. June and July consulting with my stage management, Production Manager, Set Designer and Wardrobe about the setting and stage set and if we need permission for any special effects (including smoking) or licences for weapons. I consult and record with our sound designer. Then jump in.
What was the first piece of theatre which had a big impact on you?
My mother, playing Annie in Annie Get Your Gun at the Guildhall Theatre in Kings Lynn for the Kings Lynn Operatic Dramatic Society.
Probably a strange answer but from that moment on, I knew that I would be on the stage. Went to Arts Educational Schools from the age of 11 and then Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was amazing. Now closing down due to various factors including lack of funding for overseas students and current FE restrictions. I'm a huge advocate of keeping drama and music on the curriculum in schools and supporting amateur societies across the country.
What gives you inspiration?
Really good acting and direction. Flashy sets? They don't impress me much.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing these plays?
Some excitement, some thrills, some laughter too. I hope they feel they've had a good night out with old friends and not paid a fortune for it!
The Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season runs Tuesday 12 August until Saturday 30 August. Tickets are available https://trch.co.uk/
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