THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP – A PENNY DREADFUL
Jack Studio Theatre
★★★★
“joyfully madcap, full of twists, improbable developments, romance, and ghosts”
Packed with dead wives, werewolves, mummies, bleeding portraits, and more gothic cliches than the Monster Mash, The Mystery of Irma Vep is a hilarious and enthralling farce, brought wonderfully to life by the multi-rolling duo of Joe Newton and James Keningale. This revival of Charles Ludlam’s 1984 satire is a hit for Jack Studio Theatre’s Christmas production.
Drawing from Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca, the play relates the story of Egyptologist Lord Edgar Hill Crest (Newton) and his second wife Lady Enid (Keningale), living amongst the moors in Mandacrest, Edgar’s ancestral home, they embark on their new married life, haunted by the memory of Edgar’s first wife Lady Irma, whose portrait hangs above the fire. The couple are isolated except for supercilious and jealous housekeeper Jane Twisden (also Newton) and manservant Nicodemus Underwood (also Keningale), whose lovelorn, half-ignored proclamations are a highlight. As is the dialogue generally, much of which references gothic precursors including Shakespeare’s ghosts and Edgar Alan Poe’s Raven. The play lives up to its subtitle, ‘A Penny Dreadful’. Without wanting to give too much away, the narrative is joyfully madcap, full of twists, improbable developments, romance, and ghosts, while never missing an opportunity for an intentionally groan-inducing bad joke: ‘it’s a terrible thing to marry an Egyptologist and find out he’s hung up on his mummy’.
The chemistry between the performers sparks as they play the parts of rivals, lovers, or co-workers, and the quick costume changes between characters, especially towards the play’s climax, elicit an uproarious response from the audience. The impossibility of certain characters sharing the stage is played both for laughs and dramatic tension, and the bond felt between Enid and Nicodemus (both Keningale), which can never be realised on stage, irreverently explores the mystery of human connection. Kate Bannister’s direction encourages the performers’ physical acting to flourish, weaving in the stylistic hallmarks of silent movies and gothic horror, from the exaggerated gestures of Lady Enid as she circles the stage, to the contorted skulking of monsters lifted straight from Nosferatu (1922), which is especially satisfying. Lady Enid’s insulted half-turn towards the audience with chin aloft, and Jane’s haughtiness and evasion of Nicodemus’ advances are also particularly enjoyable. The fight direction by Gabriele Lombardo is also strong, allowing character to shine through in the movement.
The set design by Karl Swinyard, assisted by Lizzie Spinks evokes the primness of a Victorian parlour, complete with chaise longue and dour portraiture. The projections that shift the action first to an Egypt then to a ship—yet another gothic motif—makes creative use of the tight space. The lighting design (Laurel Marks) is simple but effective, particularly the blue of streaming moonlight, and Julian Starr’s sound veers from the eerie to the macabre. Costume design (Martin J Robinson) combines both period dress and, out of necessity, quick changing, and is extremely successful in both, a standout is Lady Enid’s red dress, with which she attempts to enliven her relationship.
The Mystery of Irma Vep is a great option for a festive outing that blends the aesthetics of gothic horror with the camp sensibilities of pantomime and is catalysed by excellent performances and lively directing.
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP – A PENNY DREADFUL
Jack Studio Theatre
Reviewed on 11th December 2025
by Rob Tomlinson
Photography by Davor at The Ocular Creative
Previously reviewed at this venue:
BIG CRANBERRY | ★★★★ | November 2025
VERA; OR, THE NIHILISTS | ★★★ | September 2025
HAVISHAM | ★★★ | March 2025
IN THE SHADOW OF HER MAJESTY | ★★★★★ | November 2024
CAN’T WAIT TO LEAVE | ★★★½ | November 2024
MARCELLA’S MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT | ★★ | September 2024
