Horror
Jakop Ahlbom Company
Peacock Theatre
23 MAY - 10 JUNE 2017
£26.00
Jakop Ahlbom's production plays homage to the film genre of horror. Containing multiple well-known references to films such as The Exorcist, The Shining, and Rosemary's Baby, 'Horror' is guaranteed to chill a few spines... but does so in a highly entertaining and amusing way.
The play was in mime, which I didn't originally know before it began. At first I was sceptical, but it actually worked incredibly well, allowing the physical theatre to shine through and focused the production on the action, rather than speech. Typically, horror movie script's can be cringey anyway with the unoriginal "Hello? Is anyone there?" as the hot blonde decides to delve deeper into that pitch black basement...
The set was made up of three parts - a garden area, a kitchen area and a living room, which through lighting and effects all disappeared and came back at different points in the show. The mimetic element of the play made it comical and funny to watch; there were clown like accidents and exaggerated communications between the characters. Blurring the line between theatre, dance, mime, illusion and acrobatics the whole show is captivating - with no interval, the hour and 40 minutes flew by. The only thing I would note is that the Peacock Theatre's leg room is a disaster - we were in the second row from front (the closer you are the better - as to fully enjoy the special effects) and we were pretty cramped and uncomfortable from the get go.
Moving objects and haunting flashbacks of a troubled childhood set the scene ready for the arrival of ghostly sister: excellently performed by Gwen Langenberg, who appears to be part human, part animal, part extraterrestrial being. The special effects of the show are absolutely mind blowing - the sister melts into the sofa, someones tongue gets ripped out of their mouth, people appear in different areas of the stage within seconds, the sister manages to be on TV and then climb out of it. Honestly, I was so utterly perplexed at how this was possible on stage I think the only viable explanation would be some form of magic.
Ahlbom's mimetic masterpiece brings the world of Horror to the stage. However, it is not just for thrill seeking fear fanatics - this show is a remarkable and original piece of theatre which deserves respect, no matter what your tastes. At times a bit silly, largely funny and often scary, you will leave slightly confused, but largely impressed.
OVERALL RATING: *****
http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2017/horror/
