W Somerset Maugham's The Sacred Flame at the Playhouse

Putting a twist on the classic murder mystery, The Sacred Flame is a part thriller, part love story that runs at the Playhouse from October 16 to 20. Written by playwright and novelist W Somerset Maugham, the brilliance of the writer is promised to be discovered afresh in a vivid new production. After their collaborative successes of ‘McGoughiere’ trilogy - The Hypochondriac, Tartuffe, and the forthcoming The Misanthrope - English Touring Theatre returns to the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse with The Sacred Flame, an exploration of love, devotion and family. The plot centres on WW1 hero Maurice Tabret (Jamie de Courcey) who is left disabled after a flying accident and lovingly tended to by his mother (Margot Leicester, pipctured), his beautiful wife Stella (Beatriz Romilly), and the devoted Nurse Wayland (Sarah Churm). When he dies unexpectedly the doctor cites natural causes, but his nurse points the finger of suspicion at his wife. Playwright, novelist and short story writer W.Somerset Maugham is one of the most celebrated British writers of the 20^th century. His novels include Of Human Bondage, The Letter, Rain and The Razor’s Edge. Maugham’s plays have continued to be revived, with his books translated into almost every known language. Matthew Dunster is an acclaimed director, playwright and actor. Productions under his belt include the Royal Exchange & Lyric Hammersmith’s Mogadishu, which was at the Liverpool Playhouse earlier this year, as well the National Theatre’s Love the Sinner, The Globe’s Doctor Faustus and The Maddening Rain at Soho Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit the Playhouse's website.