Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reviewed Saturday 20 September 2025).
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the flooooor!
If you know this song you’ll love this production of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, an intense psychological thriller laced with dark comedy. Castle Hill Players have shocked and entertained us with a solid 4-star production, bringing elements of pathos, suspense, sound and special effects to full force.
This four hander stars Jessie Peake and Mitch Doran as married couple Jan and Greg Sanderson. Meredith Blee is Laura, the haughty sister-in-law to Jan, while Jonathan Burt is George Willowby, the stocky whisky-loving neighbour.
Peter Colley’s play creates a complex female protagonist isolated in her defence against characters that feign concern over her well-being. She’s just been discharged from hospital after a mental breakdown, but the pain is still being inflicted while being told it’s all in your head!
Sherlock Holmes’ Hound of the Baskervilles inspires this story with themes of horror, murder on the marshes and uncomfortable sibling relations. The reference to the classic is a nice little meta touch.
The set of a cozy interior country cottage is intricate while Ben Freeman’s directorial debut shows promise like a young Spielberg.
There are several jump scares and creepy special effects. The soundscape is haunting and chilling, immersing us in this very dark and twisted story about a woman losing her mind.
Special thanks to Maureen Cartledge (Set Artwork and Usher) for the lovely chat after the show; what a wonderful way to end the night with theatre staff who are passionate and proud of their craft.
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight is playing at The Pavilion Theatre in Castle Hill til 11 October. For tickets and showtimes, go to https://paviliontheatre.org.au/ill-be-back-before-midnight/
Credit:
Images: Chris Lundie