Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Edge of your Seat Thrillers

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bernster74
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Joined: 10/20/05
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Topic: Edge of your Seat Thrillers
Posted: 10/20/05 at 9:12pm

Hi All,

I'm on the Play Selection Committee of a local theatre and I am looking for a good thriller. In my readings, I find that I am not a fan of the more traditional murder mysteries or whodunits. We are about to open Wait Until Dark and the reservations are looking very good. We have also done Deathtrap with excellent success. I know these "white knuckle" thrillers are out there - any help?

Many thanks,

Bernie

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Linda S
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Posted: 10/20/05 at 11:12pm

You might want to look at "The Woman in Black" by Susan Hill, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt. I saw it twice at two different theaters and was scared silly twice. It is in the vein of an old fashion ghost story. It was a wonderful night of theater.

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larycrews
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Joined: 10/21/05
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 1:07am

I recommend NIGHT WATCH by Lucille Fletcher. 5 men 4 women. One set. And, one HECK of a surprise ending. The last ten minutes of the play will have people gasping.

We're doing it at Westcoast Players in Dunedin FL Dec 1-11.

Highly recommended!

Lary Crews

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Tallsor
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 9:20am

Park University Theatre did a production of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" six or so years ago that STILL chills me (they utilized part of the short story as voice overs).

Another interesting one is "The Spiral Staircase" by F. Andrew Leslie.

Angie

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FunkyChicken
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 10:45am

I agree. My CT is currently putting on Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House". Easy sets, almost no special prop requirements, and our little low-budget theatre is able to do some really cool simple but effective special effects. Scary sounds, great drama with some funny bits thrown in. This is a great script and perfect for a Halloween show!

OK. Let's just get this over with. No, I'm not seasick. Yes, I was born this way. No, I DID NOT eat grass as a child. This is my sister, Nessa. As you can see she's perfectly normal.
-Elphaba Thropp

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Poppie
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Joined: 3/18/05
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 10:53am

I just saw a production of "Turn of the Screw" last night. Its a wonderful psychological ghost story. Only two actors playing several different characters. Sparse set, but you can do wonderful things with the lights and sound. You're never sure of what is real and what is imagined.

If we could read minds, we wouldn't need headsets.

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falstaff29
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 11:23am

I've always loved Pinter's work (in particular look at his early plays)- his characters engage in these chilling psychological power games. Deeply disturbing, and yet deeply funny. Not so much scary in terms of visual gags or anything, but there's a definite edge-of-seat atmosphere throughout.

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tristanrobin
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Joined: 4/25/05
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 12:12pm

oooh
The Haunting of Hill House, The Spiral Stair Case, Turn
of the Screw, Night Watch!
I haven't seen those plays in years!
They really are good.

You guys have whetted my appetite...Now I want to go watch a good
creepy mystery!

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POB14
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Joined: 7/01/05
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 3:46pm

How about Angel Street?

POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

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Sueshoo
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Joined: 4/29/05
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Posted: 10/21/05 at 4:14pm

I agree on "Haunting of Hillhouse", I still remember a production I saw a million years ago.

And another suggestion - "Wait Until Dark"

Susan
Life is not a Dress Rehearsal

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Topic: Edge of your Seat Thrillers( Topic Closed)
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Author	Message
bernster74 Star Joined: 10/20/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Topic: Edge of your Seat Thrillers Posted: 10/20/05 at 9:12pm
	Hi All, I'm on the Play Selection Committee of a local theatre and I am looking for a good thriller. In my readings, I find that I am not a fan of the more traditional murder mysteries or whodunits. We are about to open Wait Until Dark and the reservations are looking very good. We have also done Deathtrap with excellent success. I know these "white knuckle" thrillers are out there - any help? Many thanks, Bernie

	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 10/20/05 at 11:12pm
	You might want to look at "The Woman in Black" by Susan Hill, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt. I saw it twice at two different theaters and was scared silly twice. It is in the vein of an old fashion ghost story. It was a wonderful night of theater. L.
	IP Logged

larycrews Walk-On Joined: 10/21/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 10/21/05 at 1:07am
	I recommend NIGHT WATCH by Lucille Fletcher. 5 men 4 women. One set. And, one HECK of a surprise ending. The last ten minutes of the play will have people gasping. We're doing it at Westcoast Players in Dunedin FL Dec 1-11. Highly recommended! Lary Crews
	IP Logged

Tallsor Star Joined: 2/24/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 63	Posted: 10/21/05 at 9:20am
	Park University Theatre did a production of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" six or so years ago that STILL chills me (they utilized part of the short story as voice overs). Another interesting one is "The Spiral Staircase" by F. Andrew Leslie. Angie
	IP Logged

FunkyChicken Walk-On Joined: 10/12/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 10/21/05 at 10:45am
	I agree. My CT is currently putting on Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House". Easy sets, almost no special prop requirements, and our little low-budget theatre is able to do some really cool simple but effective special effects. Scary sounds, great drama with some funny bits thrown in. This is a great script and perfect for a Halloween show!
	OK. Let's just get this over with. No, I'm not seasick. Yes, I was born this way. No, I DID NOT eat grass as a child. This is my sister, Nessa. As you can see she's perfectly normal. -Elphaba Thropp
	IP Logged

Poppie Player Joined: 3/18/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Posted: 10/21/05 at 10:53am
	I just saw a production of "Turn of the Screw" last night. Its a wonderful psychological ghost story. Only two actors playing several different characters. Sparse set, but you can do wonderful things with the lights and sound. You're never sure of what is real and what is imagined.
	If we could read minds, we wouldn't need headsets.
	IP Logged

falstaff29 Celebrity Joined: 9/17/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Posted: 10/21/05 at 11:23am
	I've always loved Pinter's work (in particular look at his early plays)- his characters engage in these chilling psychological power games. Deeply disturbing, and yet deeply funny. Not so much scary in terms of visual gags or anything, but there's a definite edge-of-seat atmosphere throughout.
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 10/21/05 at 12:12pm
	oooh The Haunting of Hill House, The Spiral Stair Case, Turn of the Screw, Night Watch! I haven't seen those plays in years! They really are good. You guys have whetted my appetite...Now I want to go watch a good creepy mystery!
	IP Logged

POB14 Celebrity Joined: 7/01/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 349	Posted: 10/21/05 at 3:46pm
	How about Angel Street?
	POB Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard
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Sueshoo Player Joined: 4/29/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Posted: 10/21/05 at 4:14pm
	I agree on "Haunting of Hillhouse", I still remember a production I saw a million years ago. And another suggestion - "Wait Until Dark"
	Susan Life is not a Dress Rehearsal
	IP Logged