Sleuth, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

Apr 9 2008 By Paul Marston

THIS Anthony Shaffer play is described as the world's greatest thriller and it's easy to see why.

Packed with brilliant dialogue and oozing with intrigue, it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

At one point the plot seems a little improbable, with famous mystery writer Andrew Wyke inviting his wife's lover, Milo Tindle, to their impressive home and challenging him to steal her jewellery to set up an insurance claim.

But the plot has its lighter side, too, particularly when Michael Praed (Tindle) dons a clown's costume for the robbery and nimbly hops down a flight of stairs wearing enormous white shoes.

Simon MacCorkindale (consultant Harry Harper in TV's Casualty) gives a masterful performance as the super confident Wyke, at first toying with the unfortunate Tindle and demonstrating his handgun skills by blasting ornamental vases.

But it's a different story in the second act when Tindle cleverly turns the tables on his tormentor before the final dramatic scene.

The play runs until Saturday.