REVIEW: THE LODGER, Flywheel Repertory Season at Old Red Lion Theatre 2 Sept – 11 Oct 2025
‘This homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 film is terrific fun’ ★★★ ½
Marie Belloc-Lowndes' 1913 novel became Alfred Hitchcock's first major motion picture in 1927. It centres on a landlady who believes that her new tenant is Jack the Ripper. Hitchcock made some changes to the original story which have been honoured by Flywheel in their comic reimagining of the film. The homage uses a clever mixture of shadow puppetry, silent actors, and live piano (wonderfully evocative of silent movie films). Whilst behind the scenes a chorus of actors, add atmosphere by vocalising their responses to the action.
It is terrific fun and had audiences laughing out loud. The highlights (for me) include the father, played by Jack Robertson with his hilarious physicality and facial expressions. Charlie Woodward as the lodger is a dead ringer for the Hitchcock’s original actor, the devastatingly handsome Ivor Novello. Although I found this character rather static, it rings true to the film. The shadow puppetry also includes nods to the film. The amusing staircase scene, a great reminder of Hitchcock’s love of stairs for sinister effect. In his film a hand sliding around the circular banister, is one of the most memorable shots.
The company couldn’t quite muster the transparent floor in which the Lodger upstairs can be seen pacing around his room (a brilliant effect pioneered by Hitchcock). However, the Old Red Lion is known to be haunted, and as one of the oldest pubs in London with a rich history, it is an ideal venue for spooky goings on. The promised fog (on the synopsis for the play) didn’t materialise but as many people are uncomfortable with this kind of effect, it was probably a wise decision to leave this to the collective imagination.
It is a great credit to the theatre to give this new young repertory company six weeks in which to show six shows with six actors. While one show is running in the evenings, the next is being rehearsed during the day. Next up, is George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion followed by Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. It’s well worth getting along to see these enjoyable productions, with such short runs you have to catch them quickly before they’re gone.
FLYWHEEL THEATRE REPERTORY SEASON at Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington 2 September - 11 October
The Rover by Aphra Behn September 2-6
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare September 9-13
Lysistrata by Aristophanes September 16-20
The Lodger after Marie Belloc Lowndes September 23-27
Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw September 30 - October 4
Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe October 7-11
BOX OFFICE https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/flywheel-repertory-season.html
THE LODGER
cast
Sleuth - Charlie Woodward
Daisy - Keziah Hayes
Mr Bunting - Jack Robertson
Ellen - Rachel Bardwell
Detective Chandler - Gabriel Lumsden
Puppeteers - Sadie Pepperrell & Benedict Hastings
crew
Directed by Jack Robertson
Assistant Director - Nina Atesh
Musical Composer - Sarah Spencer
Costume & Set Design - Rebecca Ward
Lighting Design - Brett Kasza
Photography - Miranda Mazzarella
