Pilgrimage – Old Red Lion, London

Writer and Director: Jack Robertson

Pilgrim’s Rest was made infamous by the Pilgrim’s Unrest podcast, delving into the gruesome murders and ghostly goings-on that supposedly happened within the four walls of the unsuspecting Norfolk cottage. Cody and Nel blag their way into spending a night there, hoping the footage from their undercover investigation will help them on their way to internet fame and notoriety.

After Faye (Gabrielle Beasley) finds them broken down on the side of the road, she’s compelled to give them a bed for the night, opening her home to the two weary travellers. Her mother, Maggie (Diane Axford), is recovering from a stroke, requiring round-the-clock care and attention, and is unfazed by the newcomers and unable to communicate other than occasional gestures or moans. Cody (Harry Al-Adwani) and Nel (Shani Gray) initially use Maggie’s condition to their advantage, talking around her as if she’s invisible and including sneaky shots of her in their footage. Initially, hoping to catch signs of the supernatural, they quickly start feeling as though there may be something more sinister at play than a paranormal experience, but will they have enough time to escape, or will the walls of Pilgrim’s Rest claim another pair of victims?

Cody is fantastic as the obnoxious, YouTuber-style internet personality. Desperate to make his mark, he dismisses Nel’s ideas, talks over her and takes control of the dramatic introduction of the house while Nel’s stuck behind the camera, gathering footage for their vlog. Faye is also excellent – playing the classic no-frills, no-nonsense Norfolk local with wonderful realism – slightly suspicious, she balances her character’s personality between dark and friendly perfectly.

It is a brilliant storyline with so many options for where it can go, juggling the possibilities of supernatural and sinister right up until the final 15 minutes. Jack Robertson masterfully creates the uneasy tension and creepy atmosphere that lingers in the background of every scene, aided by a subtle soundscape and occasional lighting amendments. The Pilgrim’s Unrest podcast voiceover during scene transitions is a great addition, filling what would otherwise be ‘dead time’ with relevant, interesting dialogue to expand on the backstory of the cottage.

The tone of the show shifts quickly and dramatically for the final scenes, moving from spooky and intense to farcical and panto-esque, which frustratingly dilutes the well-built atmosphere almost immediately. As the truth is revealed, rather than it being done in a similar style to the rest of the show, it becomes sillier and more comedic – with characters changing their accents and morphing into over-the-top imitations of the roles they previously held. While it is still enjoyable and nice to have a light finish, it is a bit disappointing that it doesn’t commit more to the original tone.

Overall, if you like a bit of horror and mystery, it’s a fun show and a great choice if you want something a little creepier in the run-up to Christmas.

Runs until 30November 2024