Review of Catch Me If You Can at Milton Keynes Theatre

This touring play called Catch Me If You Can could easily be mistaken for the Steven Spielberg film of the same name, or indeed the later musical that spun from it. However, this is very different, a rather intriguing adaptation of a 1965 French play, Trap for a Lonely Man, by Robert Thomas and adapted here by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert. Equally intriguing is the appearance of Dallas legend Patrick Duffy in the cast. So, should you be catching this play as it tours around the country? That is the first mystery to solve.

Daniel Corban’s wife Elizabeth has gone missing days after their marriage. Calling Inspector Levine to his honeymoon retreat in the remote Catskill mountains, Corban is desperate to find her. Then in the company of a local priest, Father Kelleher, she returns. Or does she?

In this constantly twisting and turning play, that is the sum of the story that should be shared here. To experience this play's labyrinthian twists and turns is much of the fun of this play, here directed extremely well by Bob Tomson.

At the centre of this show is a solid, if occasionally underplayed performance by Patrick Duffy as Daniel Corban. He delivers a performance just on the right side of the correct volume, but can, occasionally be difficult to hear in his relatively mild-mannered performance. Even when enraged by the events that surround him, Duffy barely raises a decibel.

Elsewhere Gray O’Brien is a lively and infectious Inspector Levine, quick with the jokes, often at the expense of his unseen wife. It is a great little performance, and in the role, O’Brien looks the part and his world-weariness makes his character instantly likeable. Linda Purl is tremendous as the lady who may or may not be Corban’s wife Elizabeth, and the dynamic between her and Duffy is excellent throughout, maybe unsurprising as they are in a real-life relationship. Purl expertly plays the path and behaviour of her motive questioned character.

I really liked Ben Nealon’s Father Kelleher, another character who you keep guessing the motives. Finally, of mention from the cast, there is a highly amusing appearance by Hugh Futcher, who holds the stage solo in his opening scene as Sidney. Great fun.

The set from Julie Godfrey is extremely functional and easy on the eye, while Matthew Bugg’s sound design captures some simple, but extremely effective, atmospheric moments.

Catch Me If You Can is a surprise. There is admittedly a degree of very clunky dialogue, which sometimes doesn’t feel has aged well. However, the clever and constantly weaving plots keep you guessing until the big twist at the end. Definitely worth catching this play as it tours the country.

Catch It While You Can!
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Monday 4th April 2022 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.

Catch Me If You Can runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 9th April 2022.

For further details about Milton Keynes see their website at http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

Catch Me If You Can is a BILL KENWRIGHT PRODUCTION

Production photos: Jack Merriman

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