Double Double – Barn Theatre, Cirencester

Writer: Rick Elice & Roger Rees

Director: Ryan McBryde

So, what happens when you are snow-bound at the home of a famous theatre director in Stratford Upon Avon, with nowhere to go and nothing to do? For Rick Elice & Roger Rees , the answer was simple- write a play around one of your favourite genres. the thriller. Working backwards from the final twist, the first draft of Double Double was completed by the time the sun shone once again over the town.

Six drafts later, the play was enjoying success in the West End, with the late, great Jane Lapotaire taking on the female role. Some 40 years later, this two-hander play is being brought back to the stage by Barn Theatre, Cirencester, whose reputation as a producing theatre is growing with every production. The crisp dialogue is still as sharp and relevant today.

Philippa (Faye Brookes) has recently suffered the loss of her husband shortly before his birthday at which time he was due to receive part of his inheritance. With him dead, she won’t get a penny. So that she can receive what she feels she’s owed, Philippa turns to Duncan, a scruffy homeless Scot (Daniel Brocklebank) who she hopes she can transform into an acceptable version of her husband. He then just has to sign the forms in front of a solicitor-job done!

However, as in any good thriller, things just aren’t that simple, with there being many plot twists to keep even Miss Marple second guessing. The play starts with Philippa putting newspaper down on the floor to prevent her carpet getting dirty from the homeless man she’s invited to her home. From that point on, the power games begin with both characters manipulating each other to get the best outcome for themselves. Who is deceiving who and why?

This thriller, directed by Ryan McBryde, really works for a number of reasons. There is a depth to the plot, for example how the dynamics of the relationship between the two characters develops through the play, from initially hostility to something so much more. We are also allowed to see the characters’ back stories which allows us to understand how they’ve got to the positions they find themselves in.

Comedy in thrillers can often adversely affect the tension, but not here where any light heartedness adds greatly to the ride. There are also some tongue-in-cheek references to My Fair Lady which adds to the evening.

With a set by Ethen Cheek, that focuses the attention and some eerie music (Mark Melville) which adds to the intensity, this is a gripping thriller of the highest order. Oh, and there’s a final twist that few will see coming.

Don’t Dial M for Murder, call Barn Theatre instead and book your tickets for this edge of your seat classic.

Runs until 30 May 2026