Rope

by Patrick Hamilton

201st production.

There will be a read through of this play at the RDG Studio on Friday 11th April 2025 at 7.30pm.

Synopsis: Set in 1929 in an upper-class Mayfair home, ROPE by Patrick Hamilton is a tense psychological thriller that follows Brandon and Granillo, two university friends who commit murder to prove their intellectual superiority. They hide the body of their fellow undergraduate, Ronald, in a wooden chest and host a dinner party, using the chest as the supper table. Among the guests are Ronald’s father, Sir Johnstone, and their former teacher, Rupert Cadell, whose sharp observations threaten to unravel their plans.

As the evening progresses, the atmosphere becomes increasingly charged, with tension rising and suspicions mounting. Brandon’s confidence begins to falter under Rupert’s scrutiny, while Granillo grows increasingly unstable.

First performed in London’s West End and on Broadway, ROPE was Patrick Hamilton’s first theatrical hit and was later adapted into Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 film.

A gripping classic of the thriller genre, the play continues to captivate audiences with its masterful suspense and psychological intensity.

About Me: Directing ROPE has been a long-held ambition of mine since I first read it 20 years ago. I am deeply drawn to the intense and layered conversations between characters confined to a single room—a hallmark of Hamilton’s compelling writing.

I’m delighted to be directing for RDG. For those who don’t know me, I’ve performed as a Sundowner in Seussical: The Musical and appeared in RDG’s The Cripple of Inishmaan and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Most recently, I assisted with lighting for Judy Dolley’s Albertine in Five Times. As a director and performer, I’ve had the privilege of working on Tape by Stephen Belber, a production that not only won the Leatherhead & Woking Drama Festival but also triumphed at the All England Drama Festival in Guernsey.

I held a directorial residency with a theatre company in New York, where my work was staged Off-Broadway and showcased at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Additionally, I am a filmmaker, with several short films written and directed by me earning recognition at both national and international festivals.

Currently, I teach Performing Arts and Film at Woking College, where I collaborate closely with Claire Nevers and contribute extensively to the Woking College Theatre Company. My passion for storytelling and performance continues to fuel my work as both an educator and artist.

The link below is a wonderful recording of BBC RADIO 4 Drama for Saturday Night Theatre, starring Alan Rickman as Robert Cadell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkvJhxtVLH4

Please note this is an abridged adaptation, and Mrs Debenham doesn’t appear in it. RDG membership and production fees Anyone appearing in an RDG production will need to be a member of the group for which a membership fee of £40 (or £20 if unwaged) is due. Additionally, a production fee of £15 (or £7.50 if unwaged) is additionally due. Both sums are due after casting.

Wyndham Brandon

Male, 20-30s A wealthy, charming, and intelligent young man who is also a cold-blooded murderer. Brandon views himself as superior in all aspects of life, driven by a dangerously firm belief in Friedrich Nietzsche’s Übermensch (Superman) philosophy. This role requires smoking a couple of fake cigarettes. This is a large role with approximately 200 lines.

Charles Granillo

Male, 20-30s Brandon’s friend and accomplice in the murder. Unlike Brandon, Granillo is less confident and more nervous, often struggling to maintain his composure. Known for being courteous and friendly, his anxiety grows throughout the evening, especially with the aid of a few drinks. This role requires smoking a couple of fake cigarettes. This role requires playing Noel Coward’s “Dance Little Lady” on the piano. This is a large role with approximately 200 lines.

Rupert Cadell

Male, 25-30s A former teacher to Brandon and Granillo, Rupert is a charismatic and observant poet who is deeply scarred by his experiences in World War I. Sharp-witted and often sarcastic, he easily becomes irritated, particularly by the younger Kenneth and Leila. Rupert can be played as a philosopher, a clever rival, or an angry, vengeful figure hiding behind a mask of wit and charm. This role requires smoking a fake cigarette. This is a large role with approximately 200 lines.

Kenneth Raglan

Male, 20-25 He is a cheerful and simple young man who looks up to Brandon. Hopeless in many ways but ultimately likeable, his humour and carefree attitude make him the life of any dinner party.

Leila Arden

Female, 20-25 She is a flirtatious young woman who embodies the youthful innocence and superficiality of her social circle. A close friend of the murdered victim, she represents a clueless, self-absorbed society and adds a lively yet ignorant energy to the group.

Sir Johnstone Kentley

Male, 40-50s The father of the murdered victim, Sir Johnstone is a calm and placid man who once held positions of power but never abused them. Now retired, he spends his time collecting books and caring for his family, including his ill wife.

Mrs. Debenham

Female, 50-60s Sir Johnstone’s sister, she is distant, vague, and dull. Rarely contributing to the conversation, when she does speak, it is often trivial or unimportant. While offering comic relief, she also portrays a shallow and disengaged upper-class society.

Sabot

Male/Female, 25-40s A French servant who works for Brandon and Granillo. Dutiful and attentive, they aim to please their employers and guests, carrying out their duties with quiet efficiency.
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Director and Sound Design - Jamie Sims
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Stage Manager - Clare Pinnock
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Set Design and Construction - John Godliman