ROPE

BY PATRICK HAMILTON

2025

SYNOPSIS

Set within the refined walls of a stylish Mayfair apartment in 1929, Rope is a gripping psychological thriller that peels back the layers of civility to reveal a disturbing undercurrent of arrogance, manipulation, and moral decay.

At the heart of the story are Wyndham Brandon and Charles Granillo—two young, privileged university students whose outward sophistication masks something far more sinister. Confident in their intellect and emboldened by dangerous philosophical ideas, they embark on a chilling experiment to test the boundaries of morality, superiority, and consequence.

As they prepare to host a dinner party for a gathering of friends and acquaintances—including the father of a classmate and their former professor—the tension builds with each passing moment. Beneath the clinking of glasses and polite conversation lies a growing unease, as subtle power plays and emotional fractures begin to surface.

Rope is a compelling exploration of ego, guilt, and the seductive thrill of control. Through sharp dialogue and an atmosphere thick with suspense, the play raises unsettling questions about the influence of ideas, the nature of justice, and what happens when intellect is twisted into a weapon.

Stylish, provocative, and quietly horrifying, Rope lures its audience into a world where the darkest crimes are committed not out of desperation—but out of belief.

COMPANY LIST

I first proposed Rope to the Upstage team because it’s a story that has stayed with me ever since my dad introduced me to the 1948 Hitchcock film as a teenager. It’s gripping and unsettling, but what really hooked me was the way it plays with language - how so much is said without being said. The tension lives not just in the plot, but in the pauses, the sideways glances, and the double meanings tucked into the dialogue.
Every time I come back to this story, I notice something new - whether it’s a subtle shift in power, a loaded line, or the way a character unknowingly stumbles across a hidden truth. It's a play that rewards close attention and multiple viewings, which makes it a thrill to direct and, I hope, to watch.
The play acts as an in-depth study in human psychology and relationships, with a focus on the role of ego and morality. And in the background, there’s the chilling echo of the Leopold and Loeb case - a real-life crime that allegedly inspired the play’s creation. That history gives the story an extra layer of tension, reminding us that these questions of superiority and consequence aren’t just theoretical.
Directing Rope gave me the chance to understand these characters in a way I never could have just by reading or watching it. Living with them, working through their choices, and watching the actors bring them to life made their complexities feel real and added a layer of emotional depth to their story. I hope you can feel the passion and commitment these fantastic actors have poured into this show. The extent to which they understand their characters never failed to astound me in rehearsals, and it has been an absolute privilege to be their director.
Thank you so much for coming to see our show. I hope Rope lingers with you - and maybe even draws you back for another look.
Wyndham Brandon
Nathan Campbell
Charles Granillo
Roman Mellis
Sabot
Clare Hobbs
Kenneth Raglan
Paul Murphy
Leila Arden
Francesca Emery
Sir Johnstone Kentley
Benjamin Rebbechi
Mrs Debenham
Elizabeth Rebbechi
Rupert Cadell
Timothy Winkels
Director
Cecilia Streckfuss
Assistant Director
Olivia Ryan
Set Design & Build
Xavier Gresser
Set Assistant
Sophie Ryan
Costume Design
Mary English & Maria Corson
Sound & Lighting Design
Seth Elzerman
Sound & Lighting Technician
John Griffin
Event Managment
Marie Yeo & Sophie Ryan
Marketing & Graphic Design
Paul Murphy
Photography
Clare Murphy