- WINNER: OFFIE Awards 2020: Male Performance in a Musical: Bart Lambert
- WINNER: OFFIE Awards 2020: Male Performance in a Musical: Jack Reitman
- Top 10 Shows of 2019, Paul Vale, The Stage
- Top Shows of 2019, London Theatre1
- Top Shows of 2019, Mind The Blog
- OFFIE Award Finalist: Set Design: Rachael Ryan
Relationships can be murder!
Chicago, 1924. Richard Loeb is obsessed with crime. Nathan Leopold is obsessed with Richard.
They sign a contract in blood to satisfy each other’s needs and embark on an intense sexual relationship powered by the thrill of committing crime. But Richard soon tires of arson, theft and petty vandalism. Under the delusion that he is an Ubermensch and above morality and law, he ropes Nathan into committing the perfect murder for the ultimate turn-on. They become the Thrill Killers.
From award winning writer Stephen Dolginoff and award winning director Matthew Parker comes THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD & LOEB STORY; a true crime musical that has enjoyed success all over the world. In the intimate confines of The Hope Theatre, two actors entice and chill you with an evening of masochism, music and murder. Based on a true story.
THRILL ME is the 9th in-house production from The Hope Theatre’s award winning team. It follows previous ★★★★★, OFFIE award nominated shows THE LESSON and BRIMSTONE & TREACLE and the OFFIE award winning LOVESONG OF THE ELECTRIC BEAR.
THRILL ME gained a stunning 7 ★★★★★ reviews and was a double OFFIE Award Winner for Best Male in a Musical 2020 for both Bart Lambert and Jack Reitman. The show also received a Best Set Design OFFIE nomination for Matthew’s long-time collaborator Rachael Ryan.
Jack Reitman and Bart Lambert: Joint winners of Best Actor in a Musical at the 2020 OffWestEnd Awards.
THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD & LOEB STORY was presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Cast
- Nathan Leopold: Bart Lambert
- Richard Loeb: Jack Reitman
- PLUS voice recordings of Dewi Hughes & Bryan Pilkington
Creatives
- Book, music & lyrics: Steven Dolginoff
- Director: Matthew Parker
- Producer: Benjamin Alborough for The Hope Theatre
- Musical Director: Tim Shaw
- Designer: Rachael Ryan
- Lighting Designer: Chris McDonnell
- Sound Designer: Simon Arrowsmith
- Stage Manager: Emily Walters
- Assistant Director: Toby Hampton
This is director Matthew Parker’s very first musical, but you would never have known it... One of the best musicals in town!
All killer, no filler... This is unmissable!
Directed by Matthew Parker, the Hope Theatre’s production of Stephen Dolginoff’s 2003 true-crime musical is stunning.
THRILL ME is a beautiful, unsettling, dark and gripping production
Matthew Parker’s stunning new production of Stephen Dolginoff’s Thrill Me is beautifully crafted: taut, sinister and ultimately disturbing – a masterclass in delusion and obsession.
A classy revival of a darkly funny two-hander musical, superbly designed & impeccably performed – a thrill from start to finish!
A brilliant unforgettable moving performance. I would defy anyone not to leave the theatre without feeling moved by this disturbingly dark, sinister and fantastic production.
Intense, stylish and revelatory, Matthew Parker’s production strikes just the right tone
With the Hope Theatre's Artistic Director, Matthew Parker, in formidable directorial command, we revel in a splendidly evocative and sometimes chilling revival of this musical
Matthew Parker directs tightly, and as songs quickly turn into scenes there is no time for any applause. This is a good decision as it heightens the drama playing out on stage.
Another exquisite success for director (Parker), who's set to leave The Hope Theatre after five years of leadership later in the year.
Mesmerisingly sinister thriller
There’s a thrill here which can’t be denied – the Hope will miss Matthew Parker when he leaves.
