From unexplained scratches at the window to disturbing disappearing bodies, what exactly is going on in the MADC’s production of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight? Jo Caruana interviews the protagonists behind this spooky thriller comedy.

Do you love a good thriller? Well you’re in for a treat. And, if the murder mystery genre interests you, you may actually recognise the storyline of the MADC’s next production.

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight is based on the well-known TV film Illusions, which was a big hit in 1992 (starring Heather Locklear and Robert Carradine).

In fact, this is a script that has regularly turned heads since it was first staged in 1979 and has been produced in 29 countries, including two record-breaking UK National Tours.

Steffi Thake

It seems that the MADC have certainly picked a winner for their first show of 2015. This murder mystery tells the tale of Jan Sanderson (played by Steffi Thake) who is recovering from a nervous disorder.

To aid her recuperation, she and her scientist husband Greg (Gianni Selvaggi) rent a remote cabin from an odd farmer (played by Joe Depasquale) who delights in telling them gruesome ghost stories. This unsettles Jan before the real mystery has even begun.

Then, Greg’s sister Laura (Becky D’Ugo) arrives and the frightening happenings get turned up a notch. The subsequent terrors that fragile Jan has to face – including the appearance and disappearance of bodies – makes this a rollercoaster story with the sort of twists and turns that will keep audiences at the MADC’s intimate Playhouse on the edge of their seats (while also guffawing in laughter).

“It was the idea of putting together a murder mystery that really thrilled me,” says the show’s director, Colin Azzopardi, when asked what drew him to this play. “I knew it was going to be an interesting challenge.”

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight will be Azzopardi’s return to the local theatre scene, although his is a name that many will recognise from a few years back. He actually started out as a stage actor before turning to TV and then moved to the UK to further his studies in drama, TV, theatre and film.

This has led to a successful career working behind the scenes on huge international productions all over Europe and beyond, including The Game of Thrones, Captain Philips and World War Z. Azzopardi now bases himself locally between shooting dates.

“The Maltese theatre scene still means a lot to me,” he says. “So I jumped at the chance to get back involved and the timing worked out really well. This is a great script and there’s a fantastic team involved; it will definitely promise audiences something different to look forward to.”

The closeness of the theatre will magnify the atmosphere of the story; who doesn’t want to get up-close and personal to a murder mystery?

The cast is also looking forward to sharing a few spooks once the show opens. Among them, Depasquale is eager to step into the shoes of oddball farmer George.

“I have to admit that he’s a little on the strange side,” says the actor, who is well known for this larger-than-life performances, including in the recent Pinocchio The Panto.

“Upfront, he is a humble farmer, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. He’s a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and any situation is ripe for him to quote the well-loved detective.

“I’ve had to change quite a bit about myself to slot into the role – mainly my posture, general mannerisms and accent – so it’s been a fantastic challenge. I think there’s going to be a lot for people to enjoy about the laughs and scares of this production,” he says.

This will also be the first Playhouse production of 2015, a venue that is fast gaining ground thanks to recent highlights including Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, Steve Hili’s Adult Panto and, of course, the well-known One Act Play Festival.

They have all helped to put it on the map.

“It’s certainly an intimate space which has created some challenges of its own,” says Azzopardi. “But it has many pros too. The closeness of the theatre will magnify the atmosphere of the story; and who doesn’t want to get up-close and personal to a murder mystery?

“Oh, but if you do get easily spooked, perhaps you should avoid the front row,” he adds.

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight will be staged at the MADC Playhouse in Santa Venera on Friday, Saturday and next Sunday and on February 13, 14 and 15.