American Psycho: A Musical Thriller (See You Sunday) - 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval ★★★★½

Musicals about serial killers may be thin on the ground because the subject matter is odious, but like Sweeney Todd, American Psycho: A Musical Thriller packs punch.

Reflecting on the materialistic and unchecked male power, See You Sunday’s darkly comedic production is strikingly good.

Photos by Matthew Chen

Conor Beaumont is a standout in the lead, bringing arrogance, entitlement and self-loathing to the part, along with strong vocal tone.

It is he who is asked to do most of the heavy lifting, which he does with confidence and aplomb.

The story is set in New York City in the late 1980s and is that of 26-year-old investment banker Patrick Bateman (Beaumont).

Haughty, he likes the finer things in life and dresses accordingly, in designer labels.

With a prestigious account up for grabs, he enjoys lauding it over his colleagues.

They include Timothy Price (Jake Ameduri), Craig McDermott (Dan Ham) and David van Patten (Lauchlan Mant).

Bateman is taken aback when another of them, Paul Owen (Sam Ward), is given the nod ahead of him.

Further, Owen has ready access to the finest restaurant in town, which others, including Bateman, struggle to get into and is even more on trend than Bateman.

Bateman can’t hide his envy.

To add insult to injury, Owen mistakes Bateman, who he makes plain he doesn’t like, for another of their colleagues.

Bateman has a doting secretary, Jean (Montana Sharp) and an uppity, highly stressed girlfriend, Evelyn Willliams (Jordan Malone), he doesn’t really care for.

He frequently cheats on her, including with her best friend, Courtney (Carla Venezia).

In turn, she is in a relationship with another of his colleagues, Luis Carruthers (Aaron Robuck), who is gay and has designs on Bateman.

But what really drives Bateman is blood lust.

He gets off on inflicting pain, before doing away with his unsuspecting victims, and then covering his tracks.

His torture trail starts out with escorts, but extends to others now that he has totally lost control of his homicidal tendencies, his self-worth shot.

All that unfolds is seen through Patrick Bateman’s twisted lens.

With book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik, American Psycho: A Musical Thriller is based on a 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis.

Easton Ellis’ tome also inspired a 2000 film that starred Christian Bale.

The musical premiered in London in 2013 and opened on Broadway three years later.

See You Sunday’s is a most impressive and engaging production, with a richly talented cast that thrives musically and with the affectations they bring to bear.

They pout (as if in competition with one another) and flex, as appropriate, many filling multiple roles.

Among those I would like to single out are Montana Sharp, with her honeyed vocals and sweet disposition as Jean.

Jordan Malone makes her presence felt from the get go as the over the top, needy girlfriend Evelyn Williams.

And Jake Ameduri is another grandstander prone to deliberate excess in realising Bateman’s co-worker Timothy Price.

Sam Ward goes toe to toe with Conor Beaumont as Bateman adversary Paul Owen, effortless in his one-upmanship, before switching to detective.

Truth be told, I could readily mention all 11 performers, who deliver big time and harmonise so well.

Under the skilful musical direction of Aaron Robuck, who also excels as Bateman’s persistent suitor, the score includes many melodic, up-tempo numbers.

Scene changes are seamless, as is Sophie Loughran’s well thought out and engaging choreography, including dance sequences, acrobatics and aerobics.

The musical is enhanced by the masterful production design, including video design from Christopher Anderson, which incorporates evocative clips and famous quotes.

Simple, clean set design by Harry Gill, killer props (I mean that both figuratively and literally) and striking costuming by Jessamine Moffett enhance the offering.

Among the draw cards is the strip lighting – red and blue in particular – that encircles the set.

That is the work of lighting designer Sidney Younger, while clarity is the key to the success of Marcello Lo Ricco’s sound design.

See You Sunday’s debut production, under director Mark Taylor, is triumphant – a slick descent into the darkness of Patrick Bateman’s warped mind.

American Psycho: A Musical Thriller is on at Chapel Off Chapel until 21^st September, 2025.