Review: Rumpus Theatre Company stage thriller The Tell-Tale Heart, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s story, at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal

Some jumped in their seats, others laughed, and I was waiting for the murder mystery to start, but it seems that it was left at the lodge.

The Tell-Tale Heart, a classic Victorian thriller based on Edgar Allan Poe’s book, was definitely intriguing and caused the suspense it was meant to. To me, however, it was slow and not impressive.

The supernatural murder mystery tells the unsettling story of a man who finds refuge for the night at a lodge, where the host Roderick Bouty (David Martin) is creepily persistent with his stew and wine.

Haunted by his host eye, Clarry Straven (John Goodrum), struggles to sleep, waking up between 3am and 4am every night.

With a lack of sleep, his fear and unable to calm himself with his pocket watch, each night he checks that Mr Bouty and the unnatural eye are asleep.

In a play that revolves around murder, a man driving himself to the edge of insanity and doubt, it develops slowly.

The constant scenario, dark background and chilly soundtrack should have added a mystery and terror to the play. However, it just became repetitive and was not the best to watch after a long day at work.

Some audience members were either laughing at the scarier bits or jumping in their seats, so for some, I assume that the actors did their jobs perfectly, delivering the suspense and thrill.

The rain and thunderstorms throughout the play added the perfect balance of intensity and darkness to it, building the tension not only between the characters but the audience as well.

The second act includes intriguing talks between Straven and Inspector Morgan, played by Gordon Johum, which start after a neighbour hears screams coming from the lodge.

Rumpus Theatre Company continues to stage the play at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal until Thursday, April 4, making the audience question — But whose scream was that? Who died and who went insane?

A play that loses track of reality, but that keeps going back to the same questions and madness.

The Tell-Tale Heart isn’t a play for those who appreciate a bit more colour, adrenaline or movement. It burns slowly and raises questions that always leaves you in doubt. It is an infinite loop of the same thing again and again, but done differently, which makes it confusing and intriguing.