Production Photos by Paul Coltas

The Cat and the Canary is a 1922 stage play by John Willard and opened on Broadway the same year. The play has been adapted for the silver screen four times, the last time was 1973.


Following it’s acclaimed opening in Windsor in January 2020 and highly successful spring tour, Bill Kenwright’s classic thriller theatre company completes its Autumn leg of their latest chilling whodunnit, The Cat and the Canary tour. The production has been adapted by Carl Grose and directed by Roy Marsden.


“Twenty years after the death of Mr West, his descendants gather at a remote mansion to learn who will inherit his vast wealth and hidden family jewels. When the heir is revealed, the heritage hunters turn into pray and a chain of macabre events is set into motion. Will the heirs dare to face the haunting presence toying with them?”


Stage design by Takis, lighting design by Chris Davey and sound design by Dan Samson combine perfectly to draw the viewer into a creepy oak panelled country house. Britt Ekland is magnificent as the loyal long serving housekeeper Mrs Pleasant, creating an eccentric creepy character as she mutters to herself about the evil going on in the house. Tracy Shaw is outstanding as fragile Annabelle, she commands the stage and held my attention throughout the production.


This play may be a hundred years old but this production, although set post war, feels modern and leaves the audience guessing whodunnit right up to the end. With strong performances from a very high-quality cast, this comedy, mystery thriller had me jumping in my seat and is well worth a watch – if you dare!


The Cat and the Canary is at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from the 4th to the 9th October when it continues on the national tour.

MT

Theatretastic:

We say: “With strong performances from a very high-quality cast, this comedy, mystery thriller had me jumping in my seat and is well worth a watch if you dare!”