Taking another’s life is, of course, the most heinous crime imaginable. Apart from a reality show participant, there is no subhuman creature more loathsome, odious and despicable than a murderer.
And much in the way we’re glued to the crime of reality television, we seem to take an almost lascivious delight in examining every lurid detail of the crimes of murderers: We know it’s wrong to watch, we know it can’t be good for us, yet we are unable to turn away. We cover our eyes and gasp in horror, all the while peeking between our fingers.
Firehouse Theatre’s production of “Murderer,” by Anthony Shaffer — who also wrote the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s “Frenzy” and the original production of “Sleuth” — has taken that odd repulsion-fascination to its logical conclusion.
Meet Norman Bartholomew, a strange painter with an encyclopedic knowledge of famous murderers. He lives in a village in Dorset, England, caught in a loveless marriage with his carping wife Elizabeth (Theresa Dwyer Reid).
Turns out he might be seeking practical applications for his vast knowledge of the fine art of murder.
The show begins with more than 20 minutes of dialogue-free action, beginning with Norman (played by James O’Hagan-Murphy) painting a portrait of his lover Millie (Lindsey Christian) while his wife is away.
As usually happens in these cases, girl meets boy, boy drugs girl, boy dismembers body in the bathtub.
Who hasn’t had a Saturday night like that?
Actually this opening is a brilliant piece of theater, a silent sketch that encompasses grotesqueries, as well as many flashes of humor. The sight of Norman wearing goggles and a butcher’s apron over nothing but boxers and a pair of argyle socks is funny enough — until he takes a break from the dismemberment to make a cup of tea, fussily cutting the crusts off his sandwich before returning to his task.
And while Shaffer’s script is laden with these moments of dark humor, that’s not to say that there isn’t very real and visceral emotion, as well. The loathing between husband and wife is palpable, horrific in its own way. And the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Norman and the village constable Sergeant Stenning (Luke Allen Terry) is also an emotional minefield.
The other great gift the late Shaffer had was his mastery at taking an audience for a ride in one direction, then abruptly spinning the world 180 degrees. Suffice to say that anyone who says they saw what was coming at the end of “Murderer” is a big liar.
O’Hagan-Murphy stands out in a role that demands a lot from an actor, physically and emotionally. With a gibbering, high-strung laugh a la Jonathan Pryce, his loopy capering could in itself make the show. However, he holds other emotions in reserve, revealing them a bit at a time, playing the varying power relationships well.
As Sergeant Stenning, Terry does yeoman work, largely relegated to playing the straight man, although he clearly has a great deal of fun tormenting Norman with his Columbo- like questions.
Christian (as Millie) is a sweetly vicious airhead, adorably murderous as she pushes Norman to put up or shut up with regard to his harpy of a wife. It’s unfortunate, then, that her dialect slips are abundant enough to distract from the character.
And finally to the aforementioned harpy: as Elizabeth, Reid is brutally cold and emasculating. She takes great joy in aiming withering rejoinders at her husband. Aside from going a bit too big at the climax, Reid carries the character with stoicism, as well as genuine humanity.
Overall, director Stacey Nelms has put together a fine show that will leave some viewers horrified and others giggling — perhaps imparting a balance of the two to most.
“Murderer” *** (out of four stars)
Presented by Firehouse Theatre Company at the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. First Place. Written by Anthony Shaffer. Starring James O’Hagan-Murphy, Lindsey Christian, Luke Allen Terry and Theresa Dwyer Reid. Through Aug. 7. 2 hours, 5 minutes. $17. 303-562-3232 or
Best bet: “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris”
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A church is the last place you’d expect to see a production of “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” but anywhere you collect voices like those of local actors Paul Page (pictured left), Daniel Langhoff (pictured right) and Anna High, this 1968 cabaret musical revue should be right at home. This pioneering, odd little cabaret show helped introduce Brel’s oft-brooding, evocative songs to a wider American audience. The company says “doors open” for spirits and French hors d’oeurves at 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 8. All tickets are $15, with food available for purchase.
St. Frances Cabrini Church, 6673 W. Chatfield Ave., Littleton. 303-979-7688.
This weekend’s other theater openings
“All Grown Up” Musical comedy celebrating the music of “girl groups” of the 1960s. Through Aug. 8. Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, 403 Second St., Crested Butte, 970-349-0366, or
“Big Bubble Circus” A comic circus performance by Jim Jackson. Today and Saturday only. Manitou Art Theatre, 1367 Pecan St., Colorado Springs, 719-685-4729 or
“Bye Bye Birdie” Musical satire inspired by Elvis Presley’s 1958 induction into the military. Songs include “Kids” and “Got a Lot of Living.” Through Sept. 19. Union Colony Dinner Theatre. 802 9th Ave., Greeley, 970-352-2900 or
“Chicago” Musical version of the 1926 play about infamous dame Roxie Hart, who murders a faithless lover and persuades her hapless husband to take the rap. A cynical take on the American justice system, the cult of celebrity and “All That Jazz.” Through Aug. 1. Presented by the Little Theatre of the Rockies at the Langworthy Theatre, in Frasier Hall on the University of Northern Colorado campus, Greeley, 970-351-2200
“The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” A comic attempt by three actors to perform (in shortened form) all the plays written by William Shakespeare, in less than 90 minutes. Through Aug. 14. Jester’s Dinner Theatre, 224 Main St., Longmont, 303-682-9980 or
“Curious New Voices” For the seventh summer, Curious Theatre presents a full weekend plays written by 13 writers age 15-21 who have been put through an intensive four-week writing program led by nationally renowned playwrights Annie Baker, Allison Moore and Rogelio Martinez, who wrote the Denver Center’s “When Tang Met Laika.” The playlets get one performance each, spread over three nights. 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (July 30-Aug. 1) at 1080 Acoma, Denver. Free. 1080 Acoma St., 303-623-0524 or
“G-Men in G-Strings: The J. Edgar Hoover Follies” Nine new comic short plays about the FBI and America’s most unlikely cross-dresser (so the stories go). Inspired by Hoover, these sketches also touch on contemporary issues such as ever-present surveillance and schoolyard bullies. Through Aug. 7. Presented by Theatre Company of Lafayette at the Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson St., 720-209-2154 or
“The Love List” The Town Hall Arts Center takes a rare foray into more contemporary, mature subject matter with this Norm Foster comedy about two men who concoct a list of the attributes for their ideal woman. When a woman arrives who seems to fit the bill, these men quickly learn their list could use a few revisions. Sexual themes and profanity. Through Aug. 22. 2450 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-794-2787 or
“Shakespeare to the Letter” In the vein of “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged),” this original comic production charges a group of actors with tackling every letter (as in missive) ever written by Shakespeare and performing them all in 90 minutes or less.
Through Aug. 28. Presented by the E Project, at the West Colfax Event Center, 9797 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, 303-232-0363, or
This week’s video: The 2010 Henry Award winners
This video shows most of the winners’ names being announced at the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2010 Henry Awards. The video includes post-awards commentary from one of the big winners of the night, Miners Alley Playhouse’s Robert Kramer. Video by John Moore. Running time: 10 minutes.
See and read more from the 2010 Henry Awards here
To read our live story from Monday’s Henry Awards with the complete list of winners,
To read our follow-up commentary on Miners Alley Playhouse’s big night,
To read the complete list of nominees,
To read the complete list of eligible productions,
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Complete theater listings
Go to our complete list of in Colorado, including summaries, run dates, addresses, phones and links to every company’s home page. Or check out our listings or
The Running Lines blog
Catch up on John Moore’s roundup of theater news and dialogue:
