Theatre News

Thrill Me Murder Musical Moves to Charing Cross

Following its UK premiere this month at the Tristan Bates Theatre, Stephen Dolginoff’s musical Thrill Me will transfer to the Charing Cross Theatre for a limited season from 18 May to 11 June 2011 (preview 17 May).

The 2003 Off-Broadway hit, sub-titled “The Leopold and Loeb Story”, centres on Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, the infamous ‘thrill killers’ whose bloody deeds inspired Patrick Hamilton’s play – and Hitchcock’s subsequent film – Rope. Dolginoff’s musical focuses on the law students’ obsessive relationship and utilises Leopold’s 1958 parole hearing as a framework.

The court case attracted global attention at the time due to the nature of their crimes and the duo being young, well educated and wealthy. They narrowly escaped the death penalty thanks to the arguments of lawyer, Clarence Darrow.

The UK premiere production, directed by Guy Retallack, stars George Maguire as Richard Loeb and Jye Frasca (Jersey Boys) as Nathan Leopold. It has musical direction by David Keefe, design by James Turner and lighting by Richard Williamson.

Thrill Me opened on 6 April 2011 (previews from 5 April) at the Tristan Bates Theatre, where it completes its initial sell-out run this Saturday 30 April.