Stars of stage & screen visit Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre early next month to present a crime drama with a difference. A darkly comic mystery thriller, Murder At Midnight has been keeping its audiences spellbound until the final curtain. Cast members Jason Durr, Susie Blake and Katie McGlynn spoke to Theo Bosanquet about what’s in store - while keeping the play’s surprises tightly under wraps…

Murder At Midnight, billed as ‘a murder mystery like no other,’ offers a winning blend of suspense and dark comedy.

Featuring erstwhile Heartbeat star Jason Durr and Coronation Street’s Susie Blake and Katie McGlynn, the production makes a Midlands stop-off at the Coventry Belgrade Theatre at the start of next month.

“It’s a brand-new comedy thriller from a great writer called Torben Betts - a follow-up to his play Murder In The Dark,” explains Jason. “It’s a blend of razor-sharp wit and gripping murder-mystery, full of twists and turns, dark humour and chilling suspense. Throw in a suitcase full of cash, a bunch of ravenous dogs, a chainsaw and an unsolved murder, and what’s not to like? If Tarantino was to write a play, this would be it. And I can guarantee it will keep the audience guessing almost until the curtain comes down.”

“It’s a thrilling and witty mystery, set in a mansion in Kent,” adds Katie. “I don’t want to give too much away, but I can say it’s bonkers in the best sort of way. If people want drama, comedy, thrills, and some emotion too, it’s all there.”

Playwright Torben Betts and producers Original Theatre have collaborated before - which is not the only creative reunion among the Murder At Midnight company. Susie Blake also makes her return, after appearing in Torben’s previous production, in 2023.

“We had huge fun touring Murder In The Dark, and it was a great success,” she says. “The audience really went with it, which was wonderful. Torben Betts is a brilliant writer, because his dialogue is so unexpected and unpredictable.”

Meanwhile, Jason also has a history with  Murder At Midnight’s director, Philip Franks.

“He played Sergeant Craddock to my PC Mike Bradley back in our Heartbeat days,” he says. “We spent several happy years up in Leeds filming the show. And he’s become not just a dear friend but a terrific director as well, so it’s lovely to be working with him again.”

Although fans of Torben’s previous production will be glad that the band’s back together, Susie is keen to explain that Murder At Midnight is an entirely fresh story, with plenty of unexpected moments: “It’s brand spanking new, not a direct sequel. It’s a comedy thriller - quite dark and funnily gruesome. It all takes place in a modern, swish house in Kent, the sort of place that might have been called ‘nouveau riche’ when I was a child. It’s owned by a drugs baron called Jonny the Cyclops, who’s surrounded by lots of different and eccentric characters - including mine. There are surprises galore.”

Susie plays Jonny’s mother, Shirley, who, as she grows older, is more reliant on support from her son. Katie plays Lisa, Jonny’s glamorous girlfriend.

“She’s quite misunderstood and underestimated,” says Katie. “She’s got a childlike energy about her; she’s quite unpredictable, and she’s got lots of layers, so she’s really interesting to play. I can really empathise with her because she’s always wanted to be an actress - but never quite made it.”

And Jason plays the infamous Jonny the Cyclops himself.

“He’s such a colourful character, who lives in a luxury Kent mansion,” he explains. “He’s a one-eyed drug dealer, pig farmer, and notorious gangland killer whose past is catching up with him fast…”

Jason is no stranger to colourful characters, with a career spanning stage & screen and featuring more than a few crime dramas.

“I always knew I wanted to act, ever since being a young boy. We had a dressing-up trunk full of funny hats and props, which I loved playing with then and have done ever since. I’ve been fortunate in my career, starting off at the Royal Shakespeare Company and then getting to explore a huge range of roles on screen as well.”

Katie also found her love of acting in childhood: “My mum took me to a drama club when I was about seven, because I was really shy, and within a week I was up on stage playing a main character. My parents couldn’t believe it. Since then I’ve always been in love with acting; it was always my hobby, so I was really lucky to be able to turn it into a long-term career and earn a living from my biggest passion.”

It’s a career which saw Katie win Best Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards for her portrayal of Sinead Tinker on Coronation Street.

“It was one of the best times of my life and my biggest achievement. Being part of that show was such an honour, and I still pinch myself. I also learnt so much and made friends for life. It’s like being part of a big family, and it’s a lovely place to work.”

“I’m always thrilled to be in the cast with a fellow Coronation Street alumnus,” says Susie. “When we first met, making the promo, we had to visit a field surrounded by alpacas, and Katie and I just lay on a bench and merrily chatted about Corrie.”

However, for Susie, there’s nothing like a live theatrical performance: “I love an audience - that feeling of telling a story from beginning to end and being in charge for that period of time, which is not something you tend to get on screen. And to top it off, at the end everyone says thank you, which is lovely!"

One of the perks of a theatre tour is the chance to explore venues and cities around the country - and Susie is determined to make the most of that opportunity: “I love exploring different parts of the country, armed with my National Trust card and Art Pass! I’ll be carefully planning my itinerary around every venue.”

“I know a lot of the venues we’re visiting very well,” says Jason. “I’m looking forward to seeing how audiences in different parts of the country react, and keeping them on the edges of their seats. I’m really excited to get out there.”

Murder At Midnight shows at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 March.

By Jessica Clixby