True crime thriller ‘Never the Sinner’ brings 1924 murder case to life on the Talisman stage

By James Smith 21st Oct 2024

Nathan Leopold (Julien Rosa) and Richard Loeb (Ben Ionoff) face off with justice in ‘Never the Sinner’ - a powerful true-crime drama that delves into one of Chicago’s most notorious murder trials (image by Robert Warner)
Nathan Leopold (Julien Rosa) and Richard Loeb (Ben Ionoff) face off with justice in ‘Never the Sinner’ - a powerful true-crime drama that delves into one of Chicago’s most notorious murder trials (image by Robert Warner)

The Talisman Theatre is set to present a chilling, thought-provoking production of Never the Sinner by John Logan, running from 4 to 9 November.

This courtroom drama, based on the true story of the infamous 1924 murder case of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, explores the shocking crime that shook the nation and continues to provoke debate to this day.

'Never the Sinner' takes audiences into the heart of one of Chicago's most notorious legal battles - the trial of two wealthy, intelligent young men, Nathan Leopold (Julien Rosa) and Richard Loeb (Ben Ionoff), who were convicted of the brutal murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks.

Driven by a warped sense of intellectual superiority, the pair sought to commit the "perfect crime", but instead found themselves entangled in a courtroom drama that pitted legendary defence attorney Clarence Darrow (Peter Nouwens) against state prosecutor Robert Crowe (Dan Gough).

The play delves deep into the minds of Leopold and Loeb, exposing their complex personalities and questioning the nature of justice, morality, and the human condition.

Directed by Sam Harris, this powerful play raises difficult questions about guilt, punishment, and the motivations behind acts of evil. Sam reflects on the psychological and legal dilemmas at the heart of the story:

"I've always been fascinated by true-crime stories and often wonder—like many of you—what drives people to commit acts that most of us could never even imagine. In researching this case and watching rehearsals, I've found myself swayed by both attorneys' arguments, constantly questioning what justice truly means.

"While I personally oppose the death penalty, I can understand Crowe's perspective when he asks what Mrs. Franks would think of Darrow's lengthy, impassioned defence. The complexity of this case continues to challenge my own beliefs, and I hope it will do the same for audiences."

This intense and emotionally charged production of 'Never the Sinner' is sure to captivate audiences and leave them questioning the lines between good and evil, right and wrong. Don't miss your chance to witness this gripping true-crime drama live on stage.

'Never the Sinner' runs from Monday, 4 November to Saturday, 9 November at the Talisman Theatre.

Tickets are now available via the website or by contacting the Box Office direct on 01926 856548.

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Without community-minded partners like them we would not be able to produce dedicated, clickbait-free news to the people of Kenilworth.

     

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