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Abingdon Drama Club – ROPE by Patrick Hamilton
01 October 2025 to 04 October 2025
About Abingdon Drama Club – ROPE by Patrick Hamilton
This October, Abingdon Drama Club (ADC) invites audiences to experience Rope, Patrick Hamilton’s gripping psychological thriller, in the evocative setting of the Unicorn Theatre. First staged in 1929 and later immortalised by Alfred Hitchcock, Rope remains a masterclass in suspense, guilt, and the dark thrill of danger.
Set in a 1920s Mayfair flat, Rope follows Wyndham Brandon and Charles Granillo—two privileged young men who murder a fellow student for the intellectual thrill of it. Concealing the body in a chest, they host a dinner party with the victim’s father among the guests, using the chest as the supper table. As the evening unfolds, tension rises. Will their secret remain hidden, or will guilt—and a suspicious guest—unravel their perfect crime?
About Abingdon Drama Club
Founded in 1944, Abingdon Drama Club is one of Oxfordshire’s longest-running amateur theatre groups. Based in the historic Unicorn Theatre, the club stages a wide variety of productions each year—from classic plays and comedies to contemporary dramas and original works.
ADC is proud to be a creative hub for local talent, welcoming actors, directors, designers, and technicians of all experience levels. With a strong community spirit and a passion for storytelling, ADC continues to bring high-quality theatre to the heart of Abingdon.
A Director’s Vision
Director Lee Orchard brings a unique perspective to this production, having first encountered Rope through a darkly comic homage in the TV series Psychoville, rather than on stage. “I was instantly hooked by the script,” they explain. “It’s dark, twisted, and full of suspense—everything I love in a play. The characters are rich, the stakes are high, and the setting is perfect for our beloved Unicorn Theatre.”
Despite the challenges of staging a full 1920s flat on a compact stage—complete with a trunk large enough to hide a body—the director is confident: “A lot of thought has gone into the set. It’s tight, but it works. And no, we won’t be using a real body!”
Cast
- Wyndham Brandon – John Hawkins
- Charles Granillo – Darren Fellerdale
- Kenneth Raglan – David Fardon
- Leila Arden – Sara Phoenix
- Sir Johnstone Kentley – Martin Egglestone
- Mrs Debenham – Maria Crocker
- Rupert Cadell – Kieran Madden
- Sabot – Richard Wilson
A Forgotten Classic Reimagined
Rope is widely regarded as a ‘forgotten classic’ of British theatre. Its enduring appeal lies in its chilling premise, razor-sharp dialogue, and psychological complexity. This production promises to be a thrilling night of theatre that will leave audiences questioning morality, guilt, and the thrill of danger.
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Ticket prices:
Full price – £15.00
Concessions – £12.00
Tickets are available at The Bookstore, 15 Bury Street (The Precinct)
Dates & times:
Wednesday 01 to Saturday 04 October 2025
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7.30pm
Saturday at 2:30pm and 7.30pm
Running time:
2 hours 30 minutes
Good to know:
- All tickets are sold as unreserved seating.
- There is a group discount for 10+ tickets.
- The Unicorn Theatre has steps and awkward changes of level throughout. Please get in touch if you would like to attend a performance in a wheelchair or would like to discuss mobility problems.