End of the road for villain

No more arrow-heads protruding from my chest. No more rising from the grave. No more blood dripping down my neck. It's a wrap on the Samford set of Deathtrap. After six performances, I have said goodbye to my most challenging role to date, that of Clifford Anderson.
For those who did not get to see Deathtrap, it was a black comedy and thriller rolled into one, with plenty of blood, violence and witty threats to keep audiences laughing and squirming. And I loved every minute of it!
I played a young playwright who sends his first play to older and established playwright Sidney Bruhl for feedback. The older playwright has a massive case of writer's block. He jokes with his wife Myra that he might kill Clifford and claim the play as his own. And that is what he does, using a garotte. Then Clifford comes back from the grave, all covered in blood and dirt, to beat Sidney to a pulp. Myra is a witness to the beating. When Clifford turns on her in his most menacing way, she has a heart attack and dies.
This is when the fun really starts. As soon as Clifford confirms Myra is dead, Sidney gets up from his fake beating. The audience realises the two playwrights had planned the whole thing, hoping Myra would have a heart attack. And all that happens in the first act.
I won't continue the tales of woe that follow, but say just this: the play was very demanding. The timing of lines and actions had to be spot-on. I had to struggle with principal actor John Sayles in the strangling scene, as well as later on during the twist in the tail. I had to fall three times, resulting in plenty of bruises. I also had to built up a believable character, one who went from a seemingly innocent young playwright to a calculating bastard who would stop at nothing for money and fame.
Having said all that, it was a great opportunity and loved every second of it. Nailing the performances was such a thrill.
For now, though, I am happy to let the bruises heal and enjoy not having to learn lines every night. Goodbye, Clifford...