The Pump House Theatre Company in Watford is proud to present ‘Rope’ by Patrick Hamilton.
Inspired by a real-life murder case and famously adapted by Alfred Hitchcock; Rope is a taut psychological thriller that explores the limits of morality, intellect, and power. Two young men commit the 'perfect murder' - not out of hatred, but to prove their superiority. They hide the body in a chest and host a dinner party for the victim’s friends and family… with the corpse still in the room! This gripping piece of theatre is loaded with tension, dark wit and philosophical mind games.
Rope was made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948 with the setting changed to 1940s New York City. The most famous actor in the 1948 film Rope was James Stewart with the film also staring Farley Granger and John Dall. The play takes place over a single evening, presenting a specific challenge for Directors to maintain the mood and tension. The film version is famous for its technical ambition to appear as though it was filmed in a single, continuous shot.
Director Bruce Taylor writes, “…The Murder Mystery is a classic for a reason. They’re thrilling and compelling but more than that, they leave the audience sitting on a very fine line between the macabre and the humorous. It’s a pretty morbid fascination! Patrick Hamilton’s “Rope” provides one of very best examples of the genre by subverting expectations. This is not a “who-dunnit?”. From the outset, we know exactly who “dunnit”! With that comes a very unique kind of tension.
The biggest surprise throughout the rehearsal process has been discovering how much humour there is within the piece. For modern audiences, Brandon and Granillo’s plan is inherently ridiculous, and we’ve decided to not shy away from that. Between the set up and this exceptional cast, it has been incredibly exciting to discover a fresh spark in an age-old-tale. So sit back, relax and enjoy this wicked game of wits…”
The production takes place between Tuesday 11 and Saturday 15 November 2025 at the Pump House theatre in Watford. Evening performances begin at 7.45pm. The ticket pricing is very reasonable at £18 for adults and £16 for concessions (students and over 60s). Customers who buy 10 tickets will get one ticket free. Buy 9 tickets using the link below and we’ll add a FREE seat to your booking.
https://ticketsource.co.uk/pumphousetheatrecompany
This play contains mild threat.
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