Review: THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB STORY at Jermyn Street theatre until 5 February 2022

‘makes thrilling theatre, capturing some of the frenzy surrounding the original case’ ★★★★★

This musical story, directed by Matthew Parker, appeared at the Hope Theatre in 2019 to much critical acclaim, with both actors winning the OffWestEnd Award for Best Male Performance in a Musical. Parker’s much anticipated revival at Jermyn Street, the West End’s smallest producing theatre, shows the value of intimate theatre spaces in achieving an intense experience. It’s a taut thriller about love and control. Richard Loeb wants the thrill that committing crimes gives him, whilst Nathan Leopold wants to be thrilled by sex with Loeb. Love so deep that he will do anything to get it. 

The show is based on a real case, usually referred to collectively as Leopold and Loeb; two wealthy students at the University of Chicago who in 1924 kidnapped and murdered a 14-year-old boy, Bobby Franks.  If the show tends to dwell on the sensationalise aspects, it is also a forensic examination of how two men are driven to commit such an horrific murder. There is a brilliant twist at the end of the story giving a satisfying ending to the show.

There are so many fine points to the execution of this production, from the impeccable set to the lighting, sound, costume, acting and direction that it’s hard to focus on any one source. However, one of the lovers’ early crimes was arson and the flames from this appeared to engulf one section of the audience. The lighting along with the sinister sound throughout the piece occasionally burst through the potency of the two portrayals to give context to the events. In this non- linear play, it was particularly effective when flicking between the events leading up to the murder and seeing Leopold in front of the parole board 34 years later.  

A particular mention here for the Parker’s direction and for Bart Lambert’s acting skills, showing split second changes from the 19- year-old teenager to the 53-year-old man. It’s something to behold. Lambert also has a wonderful range to his vocals in this musical drama.   The songs are no ‘add on’ to the drama but are part of the story which is told sympathetically without trivialising the brutal murder.

Parker himself always says he loves dark musicals and this one has all the ingredients he most enjoys.  There is a feeling of a scrumptious banquet and whilst we must always remember the heinous crime, it makes thrilling theatre, capturing some of the frenzy surrounding the original case.   It also perhaps answers that niggling question which some of us might have about friends who are ‘bad for each other’.  Often considered brighter than average, always one egging the other on, and always getting braver until the friendship is quashed by one event or another. Or not …  It leaves us with a question about why these men were not caught sooner.   The show is superior musical theatre and we have come to expect nothing less from Matthew Parker and company.

THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB STORY 

Jermyn Street theatre

13 January – 5 February 2022

Box Office https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/thrill-me/

Book, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff

Directed by Matthew Parker

Musical Director: Benjamin McQuigg

Designer: Rachael Ryan

Lighting Designer: Chris McDonnell

Sound Designer: Simon Arrowsmith

Cast

Bart Lambert as Nathan Leopold

Jack Reitman as Richard Loeb.

Reviewer: Heather Jeffery is Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine