Mindgame
Mindgame
By Anthony Horowitz, based on his novel by the same name
Directed by David M. Jenkins
Extended! Oct. 21 – Nov. 14, 2010
Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm
Tickets: $24.50
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts
What It's About
Jobsite unleashes another macabre Halloween treat in this three-person thriller.
True crime novelist Mark Styler is looking for his next subject. After “monster” success with his previous portrait of a notorious serial killer, he turns to Fairfields Institute for the Criminally Insane in rural England to obtain access to one of its notorious patients, a madman known as Easterman.
It’s coming up on the 20th anniversary of Easterman’s arrest and media interest in the case is reinvigorated. If Styler can just get past the strange, sometimes hostile behavior and reluctance of Dr. Farquhar, head of the asylum, he’d be off and running to the next leap in his career. Perhaps some answers reside with the head nurse of the asylum, Plimpton?
Soon, nothing can be trusted, not even Styler’s own eyes. Through a series of lies, manipulations and memories, dark secrets are revealed and the questions just keep surfacing until the lights black out.
A truly gripping thriller [that] keeps you guessing and marveling from its deceptively normal opening to its fearful climax. – The Stage
Probes the terror of madness ... while exhibiting roguish love of the macabre. – London Evening Standard
Jobsite’s annual Halloween offerings date back to 1999 and are often the company’s most popular shows of any given season, consistently drawing record crowds and media attention. Mindgame was a riveting hit on London’s West End and later Off-Broadway starring Keith Carradine (Dexter, Criminal Minds) and directed by Ken Russell (Tommy, Altered States, Lair of the White Worm).
Jobsite believes this will be yet another blockbuster for their favorite time of year. Director David M. Jenkins says, “Mindgame is very much inspired by the old Hammer Horror films of the 50’s and 60’s, but also draws in our current fascination with serial killers and asylums in everything from Dexter to Silence of the Lambs to Criminal Minds.”
Warning
Mindgame is not for the easily frightened. This show contains moments of intense violence and many disturbing accounts of serial murder.
Thank You
We’d be remiss if we didn’t thank those who donated a little extra to make sure Mindgame got the full production value it truly deserved. Special thanks and kudos to:
- Jenna Barley
- Rob Broadwater
- Shannan Clark
- Cynthia Cohen
- Mike Corrao
- Rhapsody Drehs
- Neil Gobioff
- Rebecca Harrell
- Arlene Jacobs
- Melody Lynn
- James Moline
- Catherine M
- Susan Oliver
- Christen Hailey
- J. Kevin Poitras
- Richard Rosengren
- Jessica Rothert
- Rene Sanchez
- Brian Shea
- Courtney Schoenfeld
- Kim Smallheer
- Dr. and Mrs. Alan Smith
- Jennifer Thompson Trice
- Peter Wesenberg
- Bob Westphal
Critic Reviews
...a satisfying complement to collectors of the macabre ... a pot-boiling mystery that threatens life, limb and mental health ... fun and absorbing.... It coupled the tongue-in-cheek wit of Young Frankenstein (watch those props closely) with the deadly calm insanity of The Silence of the Lambs. – Tampa Tribune
Wonderfully enjoyable... relentlessly clever and witty.... Horowitz's dialogue is sharp, Evans is amusingly unrestrained and Brian Shea, as Farquhar, gives one of the most impressive comic performances you're likely to see on local stages this year. Longtime local actor Elizabeth Fendrick is subtly hilarious as the nurse.... And a wonderful set by Brian Smallheer make Mindgame terrifically entertaining. – St. Petersburg Times
Mindgame is a Jobsite treat.... Full of surprises and reversals.... a fast-moving, fascinating and often funny brain teaser with a serious subtext. It keeps us guessing from first moment to last, and nevertheless has much to say. I very much enjoyed it — you will, too. – Creative Loafing
Wonderfully scripted and superbly directed, Mindgame takes us on a journey that only great storytelling can do.... With scenes of characters in straight jackets, scalpels coming eerily close to actors and clever set changes, Jobsite Theater pulls out all the stops.... – OnstageTampa
Cast & Crew
- David M. Jenkins – Director
- Krystalle Voecks – Stage Manager
Cast
- Jason Evans – Mark Styler
- Elizabeth Fendrick – Plimpton
- Brian Shea – Dr. Faquahar
- Bob Westphal – Offstage Voice
Crew
- Summer Bohnenkamp – Asst. Stage Manager / Run Crew Head
- Bridgette Dreher – Run Crew / Scenic Painter
- Christen Hailey – Assistant Director / Props Mistress
- David M. Jenkins – Sound Designer
- Greg Newcomb – Poster Artist
- Brian M. Smallheer – Scenic & Lighting Designer
- Katrina Stevenson – Costume Designer
- Bob Westphal – Run Crew
Patron Reviews
Mindgame is just that: black is white – up is down – Things are not what they appear – or are they? Brilliant performances and tight production make this a smoking hot chiller of a night at the theater. BRAVO. – Ward SmithWonderful performance today! I was completely enchanted with Brian’s acting! I am anxious to follow his career. – Jenifer Naponen
Thumbs up!! Styler, Farquhar and Plimpton great performance, enjoyed the show. – Pamela Wheeler
You have to go see this! I want last night and I want to see it again. Excellent! – Sandra Corona Johnson
Surprise surprise! Surprise ending!! Just when you thought it was safe to believe everything you see!! Great show last night!!!! – Andrea Graham
Had a great time! Highly recommended. – Tom Wood
Saw it last night and it was amazing. If you haven’t seen yet get out and do it! – Pete Wesenberg
Truly fantastic show. We really enjoyed it. Bravo! – Roz Potenza
Mindgame was such a great show! Every show I’ve seen at Jobsite is absolutely brilliant! You have such a phenomenal team of amazing people both on and off stage. – Timothy Allen
Saw Mindgame at @jobsitetheater. REALLY good play. Kinda twisted. Definitely worth seeing. – skajaw
I sawMindgame tonight. It’s a huge ball of disturbing scary fun. Please do check it out. – xquitz
Brian Shea demonstrates great talent in this show; his performance was unduplicatable. I enjoyed all of the performances and it was really fun experiencing the set surprises. Kudos to all involved. – Doug Wilcox
I really enjoyed the show last night. Congratulations to cast & crew. Hope the rest of the run goes well! – Mary Striby
Mindgame is a strong show with a set that evolves in ways both subtle and stunning to reflect the revelation of the reality. Particularly masterful acting by Brian Shea. – David Hood
Saw Mindgame at Jobsite Theater last weekend and it was fantastic! The actors (Brian Shea, Jason Vaughan Evans, Elizabeth Fendrick), the script (Anthony Horowitz), the set (Brian Smallheer), and direction (David Jenkins) were excellent. I sincerely recommend that everyone check it out! – Dayton Sinkia
Saw Jobsite Theater ‘s production of Mindgame tonight. It was even more awesome than I had hoped. Go see it! Runs through Nov 14th. It’s twisty, psychological, macabre fun! – Calan Ree
Tonight’s performance was fantastic! I’m definitely getting a season pass for 2011. – Anna Tipton
What a fantastic show last night! Loved it! – Donna Pituch
Awesome @jobsitetheater show! Mindgame is a psychological trip that has you on the edge of your seat doubting your senses. – daidaloslost
My wife and I enjoyed it greatly. You guys do tremendous work. – Sanford Betz
