“The twists and turns of this piece completely took me by surprise and I adored it”
The Haunting of Blaine Manor was the last show I went to see as part of the London Horror Festival, the showcase for horror and spooky plays that has been running for the last three weeks at the Old Red Lion Theatre. A festival I thoroughly enjoyed and can’t wait to see again next year. This piece, alongside the festival, has given me a taste for scarier theatre and I look forward to watching more plays like it soon.
The script was brilliant, the storyline, the characters and the style in which it was written really engrossed me from beginning to end. This two hour beauty whizzed past before my eyes. I was so connected to the action on stage and the characters’ stories. I really commend Joe O’Byrne as the writer and director of this piece. The twists and turns completely took me by surprise and I adored it. I was incredibly excited by it all.
Throughout this festival I have seen how different productions dress and utilise the theatre space and I have to say the set design for the Haunting of Blaine Manor was by far the most detailed. It really allowed for the audience to immerse into the production. Of course, the cast too must be commended on putting on a fantastic performance, together working really well. There were points that lacked a bit of energy but these were few and far between and didn’t hinder the production.
Andrew Yates as the psychic Cairo was fantastic. He truly committed to the character adding little nuanced moments throughout. His German accent was spot on and added a different and mystic feel. He was one of my favourites in the play. Likewise, I also enjoyed Peter Slater’s performance as the protagonist Roy, an American paranormal debunker, an interesting character who takes you on a journey. However, there were key moments that I feel Slater didn’t give the nuanced performance it required to really hone in the right effect on the audience. Nevertheless, I still really enjoyed watching him on stage.
The whole cast really bounced off each other. I loved Jo Haydock’s performance of Vivian, particularly her interaction with Peter Slater. Her character was really interestingly written as to what she represents within the play as a whole. There were moments that I wanted a bit more nuance and thought, but I still bought into her character thoroughout.
Undoubtedly Phil Dennison as Scarabus was a joy to watch on stage, adding to the brilliance of the show. I really enjoyed his character and Phil had some phenomenal moments. On a similar note, Daniel Thackeray gave a very interesting performance as Vincent. At first there was something about it that jarred with me, but then I started to really get into his performance. In all honesty, each and every character on that stage was unique and intriguing in their own right.
The Haunting of Blaine Manor is a roller coaster ride of a show that many would enjoy watching – I cannot recommend it enough.
Renowned American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle, famous for discrediting hauntings and exposing fake mediums, is invited to attend a seance in what is said to be the most haunted building in England, a building with a horrific history, Blaine Manor. Even the locals won’t set foot there, as all who walk within those grounds will be cursed. But his arrival at the manor has awoken something, something horrific within the walls. As a raging storm closes off Blaine Manor from the outside world, Earle and the others find that what is waiting there is not nearly as horrific as what has entered with him …
The spooky sellout hit haunter is back! Written and directed by Joe O’Byrne, The Haunting of Blaine Manor returns for a three venue Halloween Tour taking in the classic dome featured Kings Arms in Salford, the haunting Hermon Chapel Arts Centre in Oswestry and finishing as part of this year’s London Horror Festival at The Old Red Lion Theatre. Eleven nights of horror spread across three wonderful venues.
In the spirit of M R James, England’s most accomplished ghost story writer (‘Casting the Runes’, ‘Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come To You My Lad’, ‘The Haunted Dolls’ House’) and with a nod to the black and white film classics, O’Byrne’s latest play leaves behind the modern world of his critically acclaimed ‘Tales from Paradise Heights’ series for this, his first period piece. This is his love letter to the works of M R James and to the classic Hollywood film era.
Featuring a firecracker cast of Peter Slater, Jo Haydock, Phil Dennison, Andrew Yates, Daniel Thackeray and Joe O’Byrne, the play features an original chilling sound design and haunting title theme by Justin Wetherill.
LISTINGS
Click on images to go to each site
23rd to 29th October – King’s Arms, Salford
31st October to 2nd November – Hermon Chapel Arts Theatre, Oswestry
4th November – The Old Red Lion Theatre, London
as part of London Horror Festival 2017
Blaine Manor photography by Shay Rowan
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