REVIEW - Murder at Midnight at The Lowry – A Chaotic & Darkly Funny Night
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 11
My Night at the Theatre
I headed to The Lowry on Tuesday 20th January for the press night of Murder at Midnight. I was actually supposed to be going with my mum, but she was unwell on the day, so instead I made my way to the theatre on my own.
The performance took place in The Lowry’s Quays Theatre, with an 8.00pm start time, and even before the show began there was a real buzz in the auditorium. I collected my programme, found my seat and settled in for the evening.
I was seated in the stalls, Row J, Seat 4, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better spot. I had an excellent view of the stage, plenty of leg room, and the seat itself was really comfortable — always a bonus for a longer show.
With a running time of around 2 hours and 10 minutes including an interval, it felt like a full and satisfying night at the theatre without ever dragging.
The Story (Without Spoilers)
Murder at Midnight is set on New Year’s Eve and opens after something has already gone very wrong. The police are on the scene, the house is in chaos, and you instantly know this is not a night that’s ended well. From there, the story rewinds to show how a group of very different people all ended up under the same roof.
At the centre of it all is Jonny, a gangster known as “The Cyclops”, who arrives home unexpectedly to surprise his girlfriend Lisa and his mum Shirley. What follows is a collision of secrets, disguises, misunderstandings and very bad timing. There’s an undercover policeman trying to get close to Lisa, a burglar in a clown mask who is completely out of his depth, and several characters just trying to survive the night as everything slowly spirals out of control.
Rather than being a traditional whodunnit, the play is much more about watching the chaos unfold and seeing just how spectacularly things can go wrong as midnight approaches.
The Set & Atmosphere
One of the things I loved most about this production was the set. The split-level design means you’re watching action take place across multiple rooms at once, with characters narrowly missing each other or overhearing conversations they really shouldn’t. From my seat in the stalls, it was really easy to take everything in and follow what was happening across the different levels.
By the interval, it was already clear that the audience were completely on board. There was plenty of laughter, a few shocked gasps, and that lovely sense of shared experience you get when everyone around you is fully engaged in what’s unfolding on stage.
The Performances
The cast fully commit to the madness of this piece, which is exactly what it needs. Jason Durr is brilliant as Jonny, managing to be both unsettling and funny at the same time. Susie Blake is an absolute joy as Shirley, and by the second half, the audience were already laughing in anticipation before she even spoke.
Katie McGlynn and Max Bowden bring great energy to the story, and the ensemble as a whole work incredibly well together. With so much happening on stage, it could easily feel overwhelming, but instead it feels fast-paced, intentional and genuinely entertaining.
Age Guidance
Murder at Midnight comes with an age guide of 14+ and contains strong language, violence and references to drug use. It’s definitely one for older teens and adults rather than a family theatre trip, but it’s worth being aware of the content before booking.
Final Thoughts
By the time the curtain call came around, it felt like the whole audience had been on a wild ride together. Murder at Midnight is loud, chaotic, dark and unapologetically over-the-top — and it knows exactly what it is.
Even though my evening didn’t quite go to plan, it turned into a really enjoyable solo theatre trip and a reminder that sometimes those unexpected nights out can be just as memorable.
A fast-paced night of twists, laughs and chaos
Murder at Midnight will be at The Lowry until Saturday, 24th January 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through this link Click Me
Comments