Freshly opened at the Pieter Toerien’s Theatre & Studio at Montecasino is ‘Thrill Me – The Leopold & Loeb Story’, which takes the form of a dark musical.

• The Leopold-Loeb murder case has inspired numerous books, plays, and movies, amongst which are ‘Compulsion’ (1959), ‘Swoon’ (1992) and the Alfred Hitchcock classic, ‘Rope’ (1948).
• The musical play runs at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre, inside the Montecasino complex (not the Piazza) until 13 April 2025.
• Listen out for Tat Wolfen’s entertainment commentary on The Sandton Times Hour, every Monday at 7pm on 91.9FM in Sandton.
• Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

Let me make no bones about it: I’m a pessimist (or realist, depending upon your angle). After the lockdowns, which crushed businesses and lives, and took particular aim at the entertainment and hospitality industries, I couldn’t see how theatre in South Africa would survive. And yet, here we are in 2025, and within three months we’re already bowled over by world-class theatrical productions.

The year kicked off with a dazzlingly high-budget rendition of My Fair Lady, which was followed by Dear Evan Hansen (still playing at the Teatro). The shows are theatrically, chronologically, and culturally a million miles apart, yet both were/are knock-out experiences. And now, we have ‘Thrill Me – The Leopold & Loeb Story’ at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre & Studio at Montecasino.

I’ve long had a morbid fascination for the Leopold & Loeb story; a particularly shocking murder that took place in the US in the 1920s, that still has a place in people’s imaginations to this day. Two bored and clearly psychopathic rich kids decided to pursue the sick thrill of performing the “perfect crime” by killing an innocent young boy. Not surprisingly, the senseless horror of it all reverberated around the globe.

Interestingly, both ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and ‘Thrill Me’ are unconventional musicals, in that they lean towards more serious subject matter, as opposed to the tra-la-la flippancy of, say, ‘Mamma Mia’. But then, anyone who’s ever enjoyed Leonard Cohen will tell you that music isn’t necessarily all sunshine and roses. ‘Thrill Me’ was written by the American playwright and composer Stephen Dolginoff, and it’s enjoyed more than 150 productions in 16 countries and 10 languages. It’s a relatively short play with no interval, and keeps audiences locked, vice-like, in its unfolding drama throughout its length.

Ande Gibson’s set is grim and sparse, and provides the ideal screen for Luke Ellenbogen’s dramatic lighting design. A final note of restrained embellishment comes from Jaco Griessel’s piano playing in a far corner of the set, which unobtrusively yet crucially supports the singing of the show’s two protagonists. The musical play begins with Nathan “Babe” Leopold (played by John Conrad) standing before the parole board, following his imprisonment of 34 years. From here, we rewind in history, and follow the twisted and symbiotic relationship that he and Loeb had participated in for most of their lives. In so doing, the words “Thrill Me” take on different dimensions, for both the players and the audience.

Was the boys’ relationship one of passion, or actually one of strong mutual utility? That, and other issues, are bound to occupy many a post-show discussion. And post-show discussions there will be — trust me. The role of Richard “Dickie” Loeb is taken by Gianluca Gironi, and both of these gents are from the Cape, although their robust stage presence is welcome on our stages at any time — as is the assured direction of theatre veteran Chris Weare, who helmed this breath-taking production. It has to be said, that Johan Conrad and Gianluca Gironi deliver riveting interpretations of the real-life felons Nathan “Babe” Leopold and Richard “Dickie” Loeb.

It irritates me when reviewers instruct readers to “go out and buy tickets now!” although I would urge you to seriously consider doing so, if you have any interest in a gripping human story, with top-drawer creative input throughout.

Tat Wolfen is a multimedia communicator, entertainment commentator and leisure journalist. Tune in for Tat’s razor-sharp takes on the latest on stage and screen, every week on The Sandton Times Hour – Mondays at 7pm on 91.9FM or on a fine selection of the world’s leading podcast platforms. [Disclaimer: Views expressed by reviewers/contributors are their own, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandton Times and its ownership or management.]

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