Anthony Shaffer's gripping and mysterious play, once described as the world's greatest
thriller, had the whole audience gasping out loud with each new twist.
The play has in the past been made into a film: in 1972 Sleuth starred Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine and a Harold Pinter penned remake in 2007 also starred Caine, this time in the older role.
Centering on the story of a young man who goes to visit an ageing eccentric writer to discuss Maguerite- his lover and author Andrew Wyke's wife - Milo Tindle quickly becomes embroiled in a sinister game that brings the first act to a shocking close.
Peppered with comic moments and dry one-liners, the scene nearly descends into slapstick as Wyke convinces Tindle to dress as a clown and burgle his house to steal Marguerite's jewels.
Wyke will claim the insurance money and Tindle will be able to afford a wife who's expensive tastes are "more Cartier than Co Op".
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The game takes a dark turn though and act two begins with Wyke being visited by Inspector Doppler, who is investigating a mysterious crime.
The audience is taken through a rollercoaster of twists and turns and everything is not as it seems.
The plot throws up so many surprises that it would be unfair to give them away - a lot of the audience's enjoyment came from trying to second-guess what would happen next.
Michael Praed slinked onto stage in a shiny, sharp suit and gave a strong performance throughout as the flash, yet lower class Milo Tindle.
Simon MacCorkindale blustered along as the cunning crime author who perhaps had read too many of his own books.
Shaffer's wryly observed study of obsession, jealousy and
deceit left the audience stunned but finally with answers.
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