THERE were 361 half-hour episodes of the American television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents during the decade following 1955, shows that attracted a host of A-list star actors and directors as well as the Essex-born Hitchcock, known as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema.
Some years ago, American composer, lyricist and singer Steven Lutvak got together with his friend Jay Dyer to create a musical inspired by the mystery and horror anthology, repeats of which are still screening in several countries around the world. Dyer described the project as “a little labour of love” – and now the finished show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents – the Musical, has its premiere production at Bath Theatre Royal, two years after the death of Lutvak (who was working on five shows at the time of his demise).
They chose six of the finest original shows, and cleverly interwove the plots into a story of greed, deceit, revenge and love – all linked by the idea that everyone has the potential to kill, and everybody wants to murder someone, sometime. With noted director John Doyle, who now lives in Somerset, they have created a stylish show that encapsulates the spirit of the late 50s, complete with clunky TV cameras, jazzy, do-wop sounds and monochromatic colours.
It is mainly set in New York, where you might have expected its premiere to be held, but Theatre Royal Bath Productions was approached to stage the first performances of the show, which has attracted a powerful cast, including West End and Broadway star Scarlett Strallen, a close friend of Steven Lutvak. She’s joined on stage by Sally Ann Triplett, Nicola Hughes, Mark Meadows and Damian Humbley and the rest of the cast, multi-tasking to bring more than one character to vivid life.
Perhaps the link to the stories that provided the original inspirations seems a bit tortuous, but as the show goes on, it all becomes clear. The tension rises, the pace quickens, the shadowplay frightens and you start to choose your favourite characters.
There are moments of musical highlight and hummable tunes. If you haven’t seen one of the original shows, you might like to catch one on TV before you go to this new show, to get you in the period mood. Even without that cue, this is a spectacular new musical, brilliantly performed by a versatile cast who capture the spirit of the original as they build up the back-stories of murderers and their victims. There are references to other shows – Chicago and Kiss Me Kate among them – but this is an original. It’s fun and atmospheric, with unforgettable moments and stunning performances, and it’s on in Bath until 12th April.
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Photographs by Manuel Harlan