Writer: Torben Betts
Director: Philip Franks
It is difficult to pinpoint the genre of this play – part thriller, part ghost story with hints of kitchen sink drama and even comedy. It certainly was not, by the end, entirely what the audience had expected.
The first half is fairly straightforward and is reminiscent of your typical thriller set up – relationships between characters are revealed and a little of the back story to this fateful night seeps in bit by bit. We learn that Danny Sierra (Tom Chambers), a one-time boy band star is returning with his dysfunctional family from his mother’s funeral and, in hideous weather, has managed to crash his car. No one is hurt but they are all stuck in the middle of nowhere with only each other for company and the strange Mrs Bateman (Susie Blake) who takes pity on them and puts them up for the night in her basic but warm barn conversion. In there it seems, the electrics have a mind of their own.
Danny, his girlfriend Sarah, his brother, his ex-wife and his son are all stuck there with him, and as is tradition in single setting thrillers, they navigate their way around each other, occasionally bumping into each other both physically and metaphorically. Home truths are heard, secrets are hinted at and the play is set up effectively for a second half where anything could happen.
And happen it does. There is a plea in the programme not to spread the spoilers, to tell others of the twists and turns in the play. So all that can be said is that there are several twists and even more turns towards the end, more supernatural than whodunnit, which will no doubt leave audiences thinking that they really didn’t see that coming. In fact, some left the play unsure as to exactly what did happen, such is the complexity of the final 15 minutes.
Nevertheless, while there may be a little narrative confusion towards the end, what is absolutely crystal clear is the talent of respected actress Susie Blake, whose face was instantly recognisable, but also just as quickly forgettable because she assumed the role of the odd Mrs Bateman with such readiness and professionalism that the audience were instantly absorbed with her character and mannerisms. Everything from the glint in her eye to her interesting little walk on her toes and her slightly stilted way of talking due to being on her own so much was fascinating and she absolutely stole the show.
Tom Chambers was as strong as expected, though his tendency to overact on occasion meant that his performance was less nuanced than it might have been. However, this is a full on role, requiring him to be present on stage almost 100% of the time and he moved from his identity as an older lover, to absent father, ex-husband and younger brother well.
If you enjoy jump scares, things that go bump in the night and are partial to a ghost story, then this holds the attention well enough but this is absolutely not in the realms of The Woman in Black or The Ghost Train, and indeed there are actually some comedic moments as light relief, so no need to worry about nightmares on the way home.
Runs until 23rd September 2023.
Really enjoyed the play. Funny in parts and thought provoking in others. Great performances from the cast and unexpected ending. Real winner.
Now this is what I call a review. Going to see it this week. Not sure what I’d let myself in for? Agatha Christie pastiche or House of Horror?? But having read this excellent review which has peaked my interest in a) the acting and b,) the plot, am now intrigued and looking forward to it.