Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom, in 1955. The Thrill of Love is a play adaptation of the book by Amanda Whittington that explores the life of Ruth Ellis, her conviction of murder and subsequent hanging.
The Thrill of Love is set against the backdrop of Billie Holiday music, and upon entering the Bakery presentation space, audiences are greeted with a live performance of Billy Holiday’s music, beautifully sung by Angeline Thompson. An array of light shades hang from the ceiling and it feels like we’ve walked into a nightclub bar. The set design (by Pip Le Blond), is enhanced by the Bakery presentation space itself, creating a uniquely intimate setting. An excellent lighting design (by Robin Le Blond) creates a film-noir mood.
The story opens with the apparent murder of David Blakely by Ruth Ellis. It is soon followed by an “icy-cold” confession of guilt. And yet, for Detective Jack Gale, a simple admission of guilt is not enough. He wants to know why Ruth Ellis murdered her lover, David Blakely, and who provided her with the murder weapon. What unfolds is a tragic story of love and betrayal, shattered dreams, and broken bodies. The further the story goes, the deeper and more complex it becomes, and by the end of the play you’ll not only be questioning her death penalty, but whether she was, in fact, innocent of murder.
There’s a lot to unpack in this play, and the entire ensemble are all perfectly cast. Katherine Williams is stunning as Ruth Ellis, bringing both the strength and frailty of this character. Mark Crowe is incredibly convincing as detective, Jack Gale. Kate Bowers is superb as Sylvia Shaw. Francesca Carl is delightful as Vickie Martins and Freya Timmer-Arends is excellent as Doris Judd.
Costumes (by Chris Bartle) clearly establish the era and are well suited to their characters.
Director Pip Le Blond has delivered an excellent production that will leave audiences pondering well after they leave the theatre. It’s worth taking some time to read the additional background information on display in the foyer. The play is intriguing and provocative, but the additional details to the Ruth Ellis story that are not covered in the play make the story even more sensational.
The Thrill of Love is now playing at the 1812 Theatre. For more information: https://www.1812theatre.com.au/2025-season/the-thrill-of-love/
