Night Must Fall is a psychological thriller written by Emlyn Williams that examines the inner workings of a murderer’s mind and our fascination with it. The Guild Theatre in Rockdale has put on this dark and moody play at a time when documentaries and limited series about psycho-killers are becoming increasingly prevalent. Thus making this play and what it has to say to modern-day audiences all the more relevant.
Night Must Fall premiered in May 1935 at the Duchess Theatre in London and opened on Broadway on 28 September 1936 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The play was revived on the West End in 1996 and on Broadway in 1999. There have been four film adaptations: one in 1937, a 1954 adaptation of the television anthology series Ponds Theater, a 1957 British television version and one in 1964.
The play follows a charming but manipulative stranger, Dan, played by Samuel Chapman, who ingratiates himself into the household of a wealthy and cantankerous widow, Mrs Bramson, played by Leigh Scanlon. Her niece, played by Sophie Brown, grows suspicious of his motives, but despite those suspicions, she finds herself attracted to and fascinated by him.
Director Vivien Wood, whose previous experience ranges from musicals and plays in both New Zealand and Australia, handles the magnitude of this grand production with ease and care. In particular, the moments of tension between the characters build with a percolating intensity that bubbles over and, after the reveal, continues to simmer beneath the surface of everyone’s actions until the play’s end.
Wood does well to make each scene distinct from the last and show, through character and costume, both the progression of time and the regression of characters. Not an easy task with a play that spans two weeks.
Chapman plays a wonderfully charming stranger whose conniving turn is executed to perfection. His moments of tenderness with Mrs Bramson win both her and the audience over, but we sense some unspoken true intention behind his actions. In the latter half of the play, Chapman majestically weaves between the dual nature of his role with his manic screaming, psychotic facial expressions and leading man charm.
Scanlon, as the wealthy, cantankerous widow and aunt Mrs Bramson, is delightfully hilarious and stupendously stuck up in all the right ways. She uses her character’s disposition for a wheelchair to inform how and where she delivers each venomous line.
Brown portrays niece Olivia with a timid sincerity and a quiet resilience, determined to uncover the truth whenever she senses something is amiss.
Grace Johnson, Sandra Archer and Catherine Waters all play their maid-esque roles well. Brendan Jones, as Olivia’s other suitor, Hubert Laurie, is a lively addition. Kevin Tanner, as Inspector Belsize, adds some nice variety to the play’s overall tone.
Last but not least, praise must be awarded to the marriage between Nathan Farrow’s splendid set design and Leone Sharp’s creative costume design. The green and brown tones, with pink accents, give the play a real forest, befitting of a ‘house on the edge of town’ feel.
The production’s wealth of talent, both on and off stage, in addition to Emlyn Williams’ deconstruction of our fascination with murderers, which was truly ahead of its time in 1935, makes Night Must Fall a show well worth seeing.
Night Must Fall runs until 5 April at The Guild Theatre, 87 Railway Street, Corner Walz Street, Rockdale, NSW 2216.
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1304466
Website: https://www.guildtheatre.com.au/2025-season/night-must-fall/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/the.guild.theatre/
Photo credits: Grant Leslie Photography
