A Masterclass in Mischief: ‘Sleuth’ Sharpened to a Deadly Point at the Guthrie

Anthony Shaffer’s “Sleuth” has always functioned as a high-stakes battle of wits, a theatrical duel that requires a specific, razor-sharp chemistry to truly ignite. When cast with the right visceral energy, the play becomes a living organism of suspense. The current Guthrie production does more than just ignite; it glistens and crackles with a relentless tension and a wicked sense of humor. Without betraying the twists of the plot, it is safe to say that if you are a devotee of the Guthrie’s annual “whodunnit” tradition, this is the show for you.

Photo by Dan Norman

Ramiz Monsef as the eccentric mystery novelist Andrew Wyke and John Tufts as Milo Tindle are as delicious a pairing as caviar and crème fraîche. Monsef commands the stage with a performance defined by chilling intellectual agility, perfectly capturing a character who is a volatile cocktail of boredom and lethal cunning. He navigates Shaffer’s intricate verbal traps with surgical precision, transforming the stage into a chessboard where every syllable is a calculated gambit. It is a masterful display of theatrical ego, rendered with a sophisticated charm that makes his inevitable descent into madness even more exhilarating to witness.

Serving as the perfect counterweight to Wyke’s arrogance, John Tufts navigates the play’s dense psychological terrain with remarkable street-smart wit. He meets every one of Wyke’s barbs with a nimble comedic timing that keeps the audience guessing at his true intentions. It is a performance of stunning evolution; Tufts begins as a seemingly outmatched guest and transforms into a formidable adversary, matching his co-star beat for beat. Watching him dismantle Wyke’s composure with such calculated, rhythmic precision is the true engine of this production. This level of theatrical sparring only happens when a cast trusts each other implicitly, and these two performers clearly move as one.

Photo by Dan Norman

The physical world they inhabit is equally brilliant. Todd Rosenthal has created a theatrical environment so meticulously livable that it feels fit for a bout of late-night Zillow scrolling. This space exists as one-part stately manor house and one part Scooby-Doo mystery mansion, inviting the eye to linger on every architectural secret and hidden alcove. Not to be outdone in detail or wit are the props and set dressing by Karin Rabe, which ground the set in a tangible, weathered history. A keen eye will even find “Easter eggs” from past Guthrie productions hiding within. This is the rare kind of set that makes you want to wander around it for hours and then simply head upstairs to bed just offstage.

From the sharply tailored costumes by Shahrzad Mazaheri to the atmospheric lighting strikes timed with terrifying accuracy by Anshuman Bhatia, the production is a technical triumph. Even the pre-show music serves to settle the audience into the delightfully campy, dangerous world of the play. Under the direction of Kimberly Senior, every element remains in perfect harmony. Senior handles the script and her cast with the care of a world-class symphony conductor, finding the exact tempo to let the tension breathe before it snaps.

Photo by Dan Norman

Do not deny yourself the pleasure of this twisted game. This “Sleuth” is a sharp, stylish, and utterly captivating night at the theater that reminds us why we love to be deceived. Clear your calendar, take your seat, and prepare to be played; it is a win-win for everyone involved.