The full cast has now been confirmed for Torben Betts’ latest thriller, Murder at Midnight, which is set to tour the UK later this year. Known for Murder in the Dark, Betts brings another gripping piece to the stage, promising that “even the best-laid plans can unravel spectacularly when the wrong people are in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time.”
Set during a New Year’s Eve celebration in a secluded part of Kent, the plot centres on Jonny “The Cyclops”, whose evening takes a sinister turn as a trail of destruction begins to unfold.
The production marks a reunion between Betts and director Philip Franks, and is being brought to life by Original Theatre. Franks describes the play as “Feydeau rewritten by Tarantino,” calling it “a dark and often very funny thriller set in the luxury Kent mansion of a one-eyed drug dealer, pig farmer and possible gangland killer.”
The tour, launching this autumn, stars Jason Durr as Jonny ‘The Cyclops’, Susie Blake as Shirley and Max Bowden as Paul. Joining them on stage are Katie McGlynn as Lisa, Callum Balmforth as Russell, Peter Moreton as Trainwreck and Iryna Poplavska as Cristina. Bella Farr and Andy McLeod appear as Police Officers and understudies.
The creative team includes designer Colin Falconer, lighting designer Jason Taylor, and sound designer and composer Max Pappenheim. Casting is led by Ellie Collyer-Bristow, with Barney McElholm as associate director and Joe Dines as sound associate. Fight and intimacy direction is handled by Ruth Cooper-Brown for Rc-Annie, with Carlotta De Gregori also joining as associate fight director. Brian Watson serves as production manager, Chrissy Maddison as costume supervisor, and Robyn Hardy oversees props.
Murder at Midnight opens at Derby Theatre on 5 September, before heading to Birmingham Rep (16–20 September), Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham (23–27 September), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (30 September–4 October), Malvern Theatres (7–11 October), Palace Theatre, Southend (13–18 October), York Theatre Royal (21–25 October), Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne (27–31 October), New Theatre, Cardiff (4–8 November), Fareham Live (18–22 November) and Churchill Theatre, Bromley (25–29 November). Further dates are expected to be announced soon.
The tour continues into 2026, visiting the Lowry, Salford (19–24 January), Grand Theatre, Blackpool (27–31 January), New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (2–7 February), Royal and Derngate, Northampton (16–21 February), Floral Pavilion, New Brighton (23–28 February), Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (3–7 March), Salisbury Playhouse (9–14 March), Theatre Royal, Bath (16–21 March) and Darlington Hippodrome (31 March–4 April).
Please note: Max Bowden is confirmed for 2025 venues only
