Thrill Me

‘Thrill Me’ at Waterloo East Theatre leaves one feeling underwhelmed by a production that never quite trusts the power of its own story.

This real-life tale of obsession, manipulation and murder should feel electric and dangerous, yet here it comes across as strangely muted. The book, music and lyrics by Stephen Doiginoff lacks the dramatic weight needed to fully explore the psychological tension between Leopold and Loeb, reducing what should be a gripping descent into control and dependency into something far less impactful. The performers Rufus Kampas and Jamie Kaye try hard to bring it to life but are letdown by the material.

A major issue are the songs, which are heavily overburdened with exposition. Rather than allowing the characters’ emotions and motivations to emerge organically, much of the storytelling is ‘spelled out’ In lyrics that feel more functional than expressive. This approach drains the piece of urgency and leaves little room for ambiguity or audience empathy/disgust – key ingredients for a story built on moral darkness and manipulation.

While there are moments that hint at the intensity of the subject matter, they are all too fleeting to leave a lasting impression. Ultimately, the production struggle to balance clarity with emotional depth, resulting in a version of ‘Thrill Me’ that feels more like a summary of events than a compelling exploration of obsession and control.


Photo credit: Robert Piwko.