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Murder in the Dark

Until Mon 1 Jan 0001 View Venues, Dates & Times

What happens when the lights go out...

“It’s a ghost story surrounding a modern, dysfunctional family,” says Tom Chambers, in talking about new play Murder In The Dark. “Travelling back from a funeral, they’re involved in a car crash on New Year’s Eve and are taken in by what seems like a nice old farmer’s wife. She offers them temporary salvage in her farm cottage, but then all sorts of weird things start happening. 

“The line is blurred between what’s real and what’s surreal, as the consequences of their past catch up with them in this eerie place. Things get scary because it’s a psychological thriller, but at the same time you might be laughing because it’s also unbearably comedic!”

Tom Chambers is a familiar television face, having appeared in Holby City, Casualty, Waterloo Road and Strictly Come Dancing (he won the Glitter Ball in 2008). Following a West End stint in Elf The Musical, he’s now touring the UK in a brand-new production: Torben Betts’ spine-chilling ghost story, Murder In The Dark. What’s On caught up with Tom to chat about the show, which is visiting Birmingham’s The Alexandra in November...

What’s Murder In The Dark all about, Tom?
It's a ghost story surrounding a modern, dysfunctional family who are travelling back from a funeral and involved in a car crash on New Year's Eve. They're taken in by what seems like a nice old farmer’s wife. She offers them temporary salvage in her farm cottage, then all sorts of weird things start happening. The line is blurred between what's real and what's surreal, and the consequences of their past catching up with them in this eerie place. Things get scary because it's a psychological thriller, but at the same time you might be laughing because it's also unbearably comedic!
Who do you play in the show?
Danny Sierra, a somewhat washed-up pop star. He’s facing many demons and insecurities, as he fell from the perch and the trappings of fame. He was famous on both sides of the Atlantic some 20 years ago and has since fallen on harder times. His role is to try and make amends with his family, but he fails dramatically, as his efforts are either squashed or mixed up in what some would describe as paranormal activity. I don't want to give too much away, and we’ve been given strict instructions to ask all members of the audience to keep the two big plot twists a secret! 

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Have you worked with any of your castmates before? 
I haven't, no, but that's always part of the fun of starting a new job - getting to know new people and sharing our creative resources. I always find it a fascinating discovery, witnessing what people are capable of. But of course I'm already very familiar with Susie Blake's work from Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV and all the other great things she's done.
Danny is a singer - and you're no stranger to musicals. Do you have any numbers in the show?
Yes, actually. Among the family party is Danny's brother, Will. They originally started out as a double act, playing in pubs and bars, before Danny took off and deserted him to ‘hit the big time’ with a teen pop band. And so at one point the brothers sing together one of their most popular songs from 20 years ago -  but then they’re interrupted by something peculiar!

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Why do you think we all love a good murder-mystery?
I heard a very clever man on the radio describing how the human brain hasn't evolved over the last 10,000 years. Our bodies and everything around us have, but our brains can’t separate the difference between fact and fiction when it comes to imagination and storytelling and the effects it has on us. We live in a semi-constant state of anxiety... on the edge of adrenaline, while we wait for either something bad to happen or the possibility of being taken by surprise. So I think a good ghost story or murder-mystery exercises the senses that we’ve relied on for thousands of years to keep us alive as a species! And together, subconsciously perhaps, we enjoy problem-solving or raising our awareness. Plus, the moment someone starts telling ghost stories round the dinner table, it either puts the fear of god into you or your brain starts lighting up like rockets on a dark night! Either way, it’s exciting food for your brain! 
Do you scare easily yourself?
Yes, I do. I tend not to gravitate towards scary things. Mystery, yes, but I'm certainly not someone who prefers horror movies, although I know millions of people do. It's probably because I've got older siblings who would either make me jump or fill my imagination with doubt! Fear is contagious, and so while it’s thrilling doing this play, it’s also a bit like you're experiencing and feeling it for real!
Was working in theatre always part of the plan?
I sort of grew up with theatre, but I wanted to get into television and film because, well, who wouldn't? But I love doing stage work. The magical thing about theatre is that when you sit there with a whole load of other people, it makes you realise you're not alone; we all share similar feelings and responses. People could be watching the dysfunctional family in this play and thinking 'Hey, it's not just me,' or they'll look to their family or friends and be thinking 'That's definitely you,' in relation to what's happening on stage. Or it might just be that you enjoy the shared experience of a live performance. Live events are great because we’re a herd species, and it's really fulfilling and nourishing when you're watching something together.

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You made your musical theatre debut in Top Hat. How was the experience?
I did shows for the National Youth Music Theatre and Edinburgh Festivals, and when I left drama school I did loads of theatre, but it was all profit-share and fringe stuff. But doing Top Hat after Strictly Come Dancing was my first-ever professional West End musical. It was both incredible and daunting. I was following in Fred Astaire's footsteps, and he's someone who's obviously very hard to replicate, so it was a huge challenge. It was also a great honour, because I was such a fan of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly back in the day. I suddenly had newfound respect for anyone who works in theatre because you have to be physically and mentally fit, like an athlete. You're doing eight shows a week, and it's all about structure and planning and scheduling and keeping yourself 100% ready with a very precise nutrition plan!
Which theatre jobs have you most enjoyed?
I did White Christmas in the West End and played both the Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby roles, which was really, really fun. Playing the grumpy dad in Elf The Musical was also a lot of fun. Doing Dial M For Murder on tour was another highlight. Top Hat was certainly the big one; a huge role and the show that really started my theatre career. I've been lucky because I've really enjoyed everything I've done since. And now with Murder In The Dark, I pray it continues!

Murder In The Dark shows at The Alexandra, Birmingham from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 November


on Fri, 06 Oct 2023

From the imagination of acclaimed writer Torben Betts, directed by Philip Franks and produced by the award-winning Original Theatre, Murder In The Dark is a psychological ghost story/thriller with plenty of humour thrown in for good measure…

The play stars Tom Chambers (Holby City, Casualty and Strictly Come Dancing champion) as Danny Sierra, an aging, troubled singer from a faded boy band, and Susie Blake (Victoria Wood As Seen On TV, Coronation Street and Mrs Brown’s Boys) as Mrs Bateman, an eccentric old lady who offers Danny and members of his estranged family somewhere to stay after they are left stranded miles away from civilisation in the aftermath of a car crash.

It’s New Year’s Eve. Returning to London after attending his mother’s funeral, Danny, his older brother (Owen Oakeshott), his ex-wife (Rebecca Charles), his petulant teenage son (Jonny Green), and his much younger girlfriend (Laura White) unhappily realise they are stuck together for the night in an isolated and run-down holiday let owned by the aforementioned Mrs Bateman. The phone signal is poor, there’s no WiFi, no taxis, an unreliable electricity supply, not enough beds, and an archaic outside loo.
From the start of the first act, an eerie atmosphere is developed and nothing is what it seems. The background stories of the complex characters slowly emerge. 

Susie Blake is very entertaining as Mrs Bateman. She deliberately evades her guests’ questions, moving from humour to menace in the blink of an eye. Danny’s dysfunctional family have many unresolved issues with him, and in the confined space where none of them want to be, tensions rise and ugly family feuds are played out. Although Danny is aware of the impact his selfish and destructive behaviours have had on his family, he chooses to wallow in self-pity, turning to alcohol to avoid dealing with the reality of the situation, rather than taking responsibility for his actions.

In the second act, secrets are revealed, with plenty of twists and turns thrown in for good measure. 
All the cast work well together, sustaining a tense atmosphere throughout. Comedy is effectively used to lull the audience into a false sense of security before clever use of lighting, loud noises and ghostly apparitions make them jump out of their skin. The scary moments are well executed, effective and extremely memorable! It’s hard to share much information without giving away the show’s secrets and spoiling it for future audiences.

A well-written play, with a simple but effective stage set - the interior of the desolate cottage - Murder In The Dark is entertaining, witty, thought-provoking and at times disturbing. This is definitely not a show for the faint-hearted, but if an evening of creepy, tense and spine-chilling theatre appeals, you won’t be disappointed. 

Four stars

Murder In The Dark was reviewed by Sue Hull on Tuesday 7 November at The Alexandra, Birmingham, where it shows until Saturday (11 November). The production returns to the region in early 2024, playing Malvern Theatres from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 February.


4 Stars on Tue, 07 Nov 2023

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