Ivan Murphy stars in You Game written by Sam Ra, a modern, female led, story based on the Tony Award-winning classic Sleuth by Anthony Shaffer.
You Game takes the male role of Milo Tindle and shifts the character to become Bella Lanson, creating added challenges to the older character of Jack Guest (previously Andrew Wyke) on new levels of gender and patriarchy, on top of the twisty game play the original script is so famous for.
You Game starring Ivan Murphy is at RADA Studio 26th November to 14th December 2019.
You’re starring in You Game at Rada Studio what can you tell us about it?
It’s the first adaptation of the Tony award winning sleuth from the 70s. It’s a fast-paced thriller full of action, clever banter and dark humour.
How does the gender switch of one of the main characters affect the dynamic of the characters?
It has turbo charged the atmosphere making the action more exciting and giving a woman the chance to play a legendary character previous played in film versions by Michael Caine and Jude Law.
Sleuth is so well known, how much does this production change things up?
Well the gender swap is the fundamental change but in addition to that it’s been updated to the present day with some other surprises while maintaining a lot of the original magic.
How would you describe your character?
He is stuck in a bit of a time warp as a result of his upbringing, behaviour and inability to change. He is in turns misogynistic, charming, psychotic and pathetic – occasionally simultaneously. Confronted with his wife’s lover brings him face to face with the world as it is today – a world I’m which he is no longer relevant or wanted.
How have you and Alice been getting to know each other?
It’s an intense play and fast paced so rehearsing has already been full on with no holding back so we are getting to know each other quickly.
Alice has a wealth of experience as a stage actor – so I am very fortunate to be playing opposite her especially as we have joint leading parts and the 2 characters are jousting all the time!
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see You Game?
Come, be entertained, maybe be shocked and meet 2 fascinating characters as they navigate each other’s very different worlds… don’t be easily offended!
