It Walks Around The House At Night
Leeds Playhouse February 28th
A new play from writer Tim Roley and award winning company ThickSkin, part horror part thriller with a sprinkling of comedy. The story centres on the character of Joe(George Naylor)who is hired to spend a week in a haunted house. With a minimalist set design, and apt use of shadows we follow Joe ,night after night as strange things are occurring,his dbedised light tuned itself off,things appeared under his bed!. The dark stage is perfect for the creepy presence to appear and vanish as it terrifies Joe, never fully exposed the ghost grapples with Joe at one point it wraps it’s arms around him from the rear of the stage and there is a palpable tension as it’s not clear what will happen next.
During his walks he tells the story of what has happened previously in the house and of another victim-a dancer- who is seen in solitary moments doing expressive movements across the stage! That was bizarre enough on it’s own.The actual actor playing the actor (confused?)is convincing ,drawing you in to his nightmares and creepy background story.
There were light hearted moments when Joe was taking selfies or listening to Belinda Carlisle on his earpods,the pace picked up towards the end as it became clear what was really happening in the house! No spoilers but a creepy explanation is given as to what really happened. The unease didn’t end when the lights went up as Joe called out someone in the audience who was a part of the evil happenings-although never identified!
An interesting production, one man plays are difficult to pull off but this managed it better than most.
John Walker
★★
★
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