Belgrade Theatre: Lieutenant Columbo: Prescription - Murder

[dutchman]

Lieutenant Columbo: Prescription - Murder, Belgrade Theatre, until Saturday.
Running time 2hrs 25mins.



THANK goodness for Columbo.

He steps in to save the day – and the play – just as the 70s decor and mad bongo music starts putting people in mind for murder.

He is on the trail of the killer of a psychiatrist’s wife. It appears she perished during a burglary, but Columbo has his doubts and the perfect murder suddenly doesn’t seem so perfect anymore.

But you have to be patient for the appearance of the famous battered raincoat and the cigar.

First there is the frankly annoying wife has to be bumped off with ex-Coronation Street serial killer Brian Capron back in killing form.

But it’s worth waiting for the TV detective’s appearance.

You’d swear Columbo had moved to Coventry when you see John Guerrasio put on the raincoat to become one of TV’s best-loved sleuths.

He nails every look and mannerism of the bumbling, messy but brilliant television detective with the terrier-like drive to find his killer.

However, I still think he should have arrested whoever was responsible for the bongo-playing. Sheer murder.

Rating * * *

Review by Marion McMullen