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REVIEW - Ian Rankin's Rebus: A Game Called Malice (play)

Updated: 2 days ago

Ian Rankin's Rebus: A Game Called Malice stage play theatre

Rebus: A Game Called Malice

By Ian Rankin and Simon Reade

Directed by Loveday Ingram

23 September 2024

⭐⭐⭐




When recently retired Detective Inspector John Rebus (Gray O'Brien) is invited to a dinner party on Edinburgh's plush Heriot Row, he finds himself part of a murder mystery game created by the wealthy hostess. But when an actual dead body is discovered in the house, Rebus turns his attentions and suspicions to his fellow guests.


Rebus: A Game Called Malice is a single-room play set in the opulent dining room of a home on one of the most prestigious streets in Edinburgh. It's a far cry from the dark underworld of Edinburgh that the legendary detective haunts in Ian Rankin's much-loved Rebus novels and TV series. The set is beautifully detailed and well lit; but with the dinner party setting, parlour games and posh characters, this feels more like an Agatha Christie than a Rebus story.


The writing, as expected from Ian Rankin, is clever and funny, and the script is deftly performed by a cast of top-quality actors. Gray O'Brien does a fine job with the iconic character of John Rebus. He's charismatic and convincing, and could easily carry the role forward in future Rebus stories. But O'Brien doesn't have a whole lot to do in 'A Game Called Malice.' Oddly Rebus is not that well developed here. There's little to hint at the flawed, rule-breaking maverick we know from the books.


The cast of Ian Rankin's Rebus: A Game Called Malice stage play theatre. Photo Credit: Nobby Clark

'A Game Called Malice' leans more towards the 'cosy-crime' genre than the hard-hitting Rebus stories I'm familiar with. There's no real jeopardy or edge-of-the-seat drama; there's nothing too dark or unsettling on display. It is however a well staged, ably performed, gentle murder mystery with plenty of twists, turns and revelations. (It's important to pay attention in act one because some of the throw away comments made by the dinner party patrons become important later on!) The story is intriguing enough to hold the attention of the entire theatre, and the "whodunnit" keeps the audience guessing until the very end.


There's not really enough 'John Rebus' here to warrant the play's title; This could be any ex-detective at a dinner party gone-wrong. But it is an enjoyable, jolly take on the murder-mystery genre and well worth your time.

 

⭐⭐⭐

 

Ian Rankin's Rebus: A Game Called Malice plays Glasgow Pavilion Theatre until Friday 27 September and then continues on tour. | Jump to tour listings


There will be a post-show Q&A with Ian Rankin after the show at the Pavilion on Tuesday 24 September!


📸 production photos: Nobby Clark



 

Rebus: A Game Called Malice Cast

Gray O'Brien as Rebus in Ian Rankin's Rebus: A Game Called Malice stage play. Photo Credit: Nobby Clark

Gray O’Brien John Rebus

Abigail Thaw Stephanie Jeffries

Billy Hartman Jack Fleming

Jade Kennedy Candida Jones

Teresa Banham Harriet Goodwin

Neil McKinven Paul

 


Rebus: A Game Called Malice Tour Dates


Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge

29 August – 7 September

Box Office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com


Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

10 – 14 September

Box Office: 0131 529 6000 / www.capitaltheatres.com


His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

16 – 21 September

Box Office: 01224 641122 / www.aberdeenperformingarts.com


Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow

23 – 27 September

Box Office: 0141 332 1846 / https://trafalgartickets.com/pavilion-theatre-glasgow/en-GB


Theatre Royal Bath, Bath

30 September – 5 October

Box Office: 01225 448844 / www.theatreroyal.org.uk


New Theatre, Cardiff

7 – 12 October


York Theatre Royal, York

15 – 19 October

Box Office: 01904 623568 / www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk


Malvern Theatres, Malvern

21 – 26 October

Box Office: 01684 892277 / www.malvern-theatres.co.uk


Oxford Playhouse, Oxford

29 October – 2 November

Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com


Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

5 – 9 November

Box Office: 01242 572573 / www.everymantheatre.org.uk


Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

19 – 23 November

Box Office: 01483 44 00 00 / www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk


Lighthouse, Poole

26 – 30 November

Box Office: 01202 280000 / www.lighthousepoole.co.uk


Ian Rankin's Rebus: A Game Called Malice stage play theatre
 

Rebus: A Game Called Malice review, Ian Rankin, Rebus play.

Lisa in the Theatre UK Theatre blog Scottish theatre website

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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.

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