Columbo @ The Lowry, 9 June 2010

As we approached the Lowry, across the bridge from the Harbour City tram stop, we were pleasantly surprised. Look at all these young people heading to watch Columbo, we said. Surprising, you’d expect an older crowd, we said. As we entered the arts centre it all became clear. Derren Brown was playing the larger Lyric Theatre on the same night. In fact out of the six nights Columbo is playing (Monday 7 June til Saturday 12 June), four clash with the mighty Derren, and we were worried about the turn out. We needn’t have been. Apparently the A Team’s Dirk Benedict playing one of TV’s most cherished detectives is still a big draw. Maybe its all part of the eighties revival?

The Quays Theatre is a great space, and feels a bit like a David Lynch film, as somebody remarked on their way to their seats. The theme appears to be red, and it creates a rather cosy Club Silencio-esque atmosphere.

The play is based on the pilot episode of the TV series in which a psychiatrist kills his wife, assisted by his glamorous mistress. The idea with Columbo is you know who committed the murder from the beginning, so the episode follows Columbo solving the crime, which develops into a battle of wits between Dr Flemming and the detective. Mr Noggin is a die-hard Columbo fan so thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and I have to say I was charmed by the whole thing too. It helps that I have a serious weakness for detective dramas. Box set of Lewis? Don’t mind if I do.

The audience was full of Columbo fans, as well as the odd group of women who had clearly attended to see Dirk in the flesh, and I doubt many went home disappointed.
Benedict and Patrick Ryecart as Dr Flemming were both marvellous. Benedict captured Peter Falk’s portrayal perfectly, with all the mannerisms and phrasing just right. The female supporting cast struggled with their American accents a little, but did a fine job. The sets were great and really set the retro scene for the audience, but they took a rather long time to change between scenes. I guess this is the problem of adapting a TV episode to the stage, but to be honest it didn’t really bother us, in fact it added to the anticipation. It was a jolly fun evening as we unravelled the how-dunnit along with the cast, and I didn’t pine for Derren once.

Columbo, Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Salford, til Saturday 12, £14-20