Two women are found brutally murdered in their Paris home. One is almost decapitated, the other has been thrust head downwards into the chimney. The case has the Police baffled, so in steps C. August Dupin, to help investigate the events.

Adapted from the story by Edgar Allan Poe, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, is renowned as the first detective story, having been published in Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine in April 1841.

However, this adaptation does not have us gripped in the way that we have become used to by productions of Conon Doyle or Christie's stories. There is a lack of atmosphere within the storytelling and when the culprit is revealed, it's not really a shocking moment, more a conclusion to the tale.

Whilst the story is clearly set in France, (the script mentions this is many places), and the characters are even described as being French or having lived in Paris their whole lives, (except for one character who is described as Italian), none of the characters have anything about them that appears French.

Indeed, when we see Dupin interviewing potential witnesses to the events, the majority have rural English accents, which, whilst entertaining, deters from the seriousness of the subject.

Overall, the production is engaging, but could be improved greatly by a more authentic take on the original context.

A rueful adaptation.

The Murders in the Rue Morgue is part of Birmingham Fest which runs across Birmingham until July 28th. More details can be found here: http://birminghamfest.co.uk/events/

Review written by Rachel Louise Martin

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