Tumulus (Soho Theatre 2019) — Christopher Adams

An off-West End remount of a chilling queer noir murder mystery set in London's chemsex scene.

'When I first read the news
I was shocked
(I'd never had a lover die on me before)
(This wasn't the '80s)'

When Anthony's one-night stand turns up dead on the Hampstead Heath tumulus, everyone assumes he's another casualty of London's chemsex culture. But after a second body is discovered Anthony suspects foul play and is thrust into a terrifying, drug-fuelled journey to uncover the truth.

This fast-paced, unflinching queer noir pulses with energy. Like a gay (well, gayer) Murder She Wrote episode, an unlikely detective races to solve two murders before a killer strikes again.

See also the original VAULT Festival 2018 production →

Director: Matt Steinberg
Producer: Paul Casey Productions & Outside Edge Theatre Company
Cast: Ian Hallard, Harry Lister Smith, Ciarán Owens

Designer: Alison Neighbour · Sound Designer: Nick Manning · Lighting Designer: Christopher Nairne · Stage Manager: Megan Bly · Movement Director: Natasha Harrison · Assistant Director: Hugh Wyld · Production Manager: Callum Finn

Support from Arts Council England and the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

Gallery

Production photography by Darren Bell.

Press

★★★★★Tumulus is one of those exquisite rare breeds of a play, being one of the strongest three handers I've ever seen…

Pocketsized Theatre

★★★★Adams creates a piece that manages to be a thriller without forsaking the lighter mood shown at the start. His characters are witty and quick, alternating tongue-in-cheek comebacks with deeper reflections on physical contact, connection, and the urgent need to go beyond these thresholds.

Broadway World

★★★★A taut hour of mystery…the real star is Adams's narrative…

Attitude

★★★★Razor sharp, engaging and intelligent

Love London Love Culture

Christopher Adams's script is taut and propulsive with plenty of social satire

The Guardian

Tumulus takes its audience on a swift, stomach-dropping swoop into noir...Adam's layering is dense – Tumulus runs at a brisk hour – but efficient.

Exeunt

Post-Show Events

Q&A with David Stuart (56 Dean Street) and James Barr (A Gay & A Non-Gay podcast). · Q&A with Lord Brian Paddick (politician & former deputy assistant commissioner of the Met Police) and Stephen Morris (chemsex & sexual crime lead, HM Prison & Probation Service). · Q&A with David Stuart (56 Dean Street) and Dorta Much (Us in Therapy).

Published

The playscript is published by Nick Hern Books (2018), and also appears in the collection Plays from VAULT 3.

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