Inspector John Rebus first shambled into life, hungover and smoking a cigarette, in Ian Rankin’s debut novel in 1987. And almost 40 years later, this flawed, fascinating character remains a fixture in Scottish culture. A BBC drama this year reimagined Rebus in the present day, bringing the gruff copper to a whole new audience, and a stage version is currently touring the UK.
A Game Called Malice, created by Rankin and co-writer Colin Meade, began its Aberdeen run at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. Soap opera villain turns hero as Rebus It was only a few months ago that Gray O’Brien (best remembered by many as Coronation Street villain Tony Gordon) stole the show in . He returned last night, less cross this time.
The plot revolved around a fancy Edinburgh dinner party, where a murder mystery game turns all too real. is among the guests, attending as a plus-one and entering a world he’s not quite used to. To say a whole lot more would be to reveal too much about a plot packed with twists and turns.
But I can tell you it’s worth a trip. What can Aberdeen audiences expect at Rebus show? It was with some high expectations that I attended, . (As it happens, on that occasion it was actor Charlie Lawson, Coronation Street’s Jim McDonald, playing the legendary sleuth.
) Show began with a jolt It was a sunny September night outside, but HMT was plunged into darkness with the flick of a switch as the play began in foreboding fashion. We were introduced to the ensemble in a .