The classic noir thriller DOUBLE INDEMNITY, made famous by the 1944 Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler film, will take to the Nottingham Playhouse stage from 12 March to 3 April.  The book by James M. Cain has been adapted for the stage by David Joss Buckley and retains all the magic and intrigue of the original.  A Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company production, DOUBLE INDEMNITY will be directed by Giles Croft, Artistic Director of Nottingham Playhouse and designed by Mark Bailey.  Told through a series of flashbacks and confessions, DOUBLE INDEMNITY tells the story of an insurance scam that leads to a not-so-perfect murder.

Los Angeles is home to Walter Huff, a smooth-talking insurance salesman from the West who is searching for a bit of extra cash and a good lady.  Whilst chasing up a motor insurance renewal Walter becomes strangely drawn to Phyllis Nirdlinger - a true femme fatale.  With the swift sale of life insurance, Walter finds himself embroiled in a plot to murder her husband and cash-in on the policy.  Walter’s smart colleagues are on the case, trying to piece together the story behind Nirdlinger’s so-called accident so they can stop the payout.  With the net closing in on the murderous pair, Walter begins to realise that he is way out of his depth.  DOUBLE INDEMNITY raises questions of trust and explores the lengths to which people will go for love and money.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY will create the chilling atmosphere of a noir thriller onstage through the stylised use of film and music.  A full and lush score by Matthew Bugg will accompany the onstage action, while images from Phyllis’ previous misdemeanours will be projected onto sliding screens.  The dark and haunting set by Mark Bailey will take the audience through the many dramatic landscapes in the play including a train and ship.  Originally published in 1944, DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a classic crime thriller from the writer of THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE. 

The cast of DOUBLE INDEMNITY comprises Robin Bowerman (Herbert Nirdlinger), Chris Burdett (Jackson), Lucy Cohu (Phyllis Nirdlinger), Elaine Donnelly (Belle/Violet Nirdlinger), Lou Hirsch (Barton Keyes), Hywel Simons (Walter Huff), Melissa Simpson (Lola Nirdlinger) and Trevor White (Norton).  Hywel Simons is best known for his role as Sergeant Craig Gilmore in ITV’s THE BILL.  Hywel has also appeared in the feature films ENIGMA, WILDE and SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE.  Lucy Cohu’s theatre credits include MACBETH (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), BLOOD WEDDING (Lyric, Hammersmith) and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Royal Exchange Theatre).  Lou Hirsch, Trevor White, Robin Bowerman and Chris Burdett make a welcome return to Nottingham Playhouse.  Lou Hirsch has performed in ANGELS IN AMERICA (National Theatre) and OF MICE AND MEN (national tour) and is a regular star of the BBC comedy MY HERO.  Giles Croft will direct DOUBLE INDEMNITY, fresh from recent successes such as THE MAN WHO and RAT PACK CONFIDENTIAL, which transferred to London’s West End.  Lighting design is by Nick Beadle.

To book for DOUBLE INDEMNITY please contact the Nottingham Playhouse Box Office on 0115 941 9419.

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Double Indemnity Press Night: Tuesday 16 March (7.45pm)