The current offering from the Hampton Theatre Company "grips you in the throat from start to finish," according to London's The Stage newspaper. If that doesn't give you pause, then head for Quogue for "Strictly Murder," a World War II-era thriller by the acclaimed British writer Brian Clemens that begins a three-week run Thursday night at the theater.
Originally produced in England in 2006, the play is set in 1939 in Provence, France, where Peter and Suzy, an English couple, are living happily in a rural cottage. Their idyll shatters when Suzy discovers that Peter is not the man he claims to be, and that he may be a ruthless killer on the run. When Ross, a Scotland Yard detective, arrives, more complications ensue, including lies, subterfuge, and murder.
The British Theatre Guide called the play "entertaining and intriguing fun . . . Almost every one of the characters is not who they first appear to be." According to the magazine Essential Surrey, it is "a play that's poised on a knife-edge . . . a tense and dizzying tightrope walk between life and death, war and peace, truth and lies."
Clemens (1931-2015) is perhaps best known for his contributions to the long-running British TV series "The Avengers," as well as the American series "Remington Steele," "Diagnosis: Murder," and "Highlander: The Series." His film credits include "See No Evil" and "The Watcher in the Woods."
The H.T.C. production stars Matthew Conlon as Ross, who may or may not be the detective he claims to be; Scott Hofer as Josef, Peter and Suzy's furtive neighbor; Catherine Maloney at Miriam, Ross's colleague; Dayne Rasmussen as Peter, and Ashley Underwood as Suzy.
Direction is by Mary Powers; set design by Meg Sexton, Ricky Bottenus, and Ms. Powers; lighting design by Sebastian Paczynski; sound by Ms. Sexton, and costumes by Teresa Lebrun.
Showtimes are Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8, and Sundays at 2:30, with an additional matinee on March 23 at 2:30. The cast will be available for question-and-answer sessions after the performances on Friday, March 15, and March 22.
Tickets are $36, $31 for seniors, and $20 for students 25 and under.
