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Willow Studio, Greenside @ Riddles Court
I had done a little bit of reading before heading along to this one, mainly because I’ve always had a soft spot for Edgar Allan Poe. The venue itself was new to us, and while the room was a pleasant surprise, the chairs were absolutely brutal. An hour in those and you’re more than ready to stand up and stretch.
As we entered, the actor was already in character, sitting at a desk and scribbling away, which set the tone before the performance even began. The first half was The Black Cat, one of Poe’s darker stories, and it was delivered with real intensity. For someone who only began performing during the pandemic, Stephen Smith showed remarkable confidence and presence. The 40 minutes passed without a single stumble, his storytelling pulling the audience right into the confession of a tormented man.
The second half brought us The Raven, which is one of my personal favourites. A quick transformation into an older character and suddenly we were transported again. It’s a tricky poem to deliver, full of rhythm and atmosphere, but it was handled with skill and weight. You could feel the audience leaning in, caught up in the words.
If you enjoy horror or dark fiction, this is well worth catching. A cleverly crafted hour of theatre that breathes life into two of Poe’s most chilling works.
Would I see it again? Quoth the Raven… nevermore.