REVIEW: THE SUMMONED by Phoenix Benham at Etcetera Theatre 21 - 25 October 2025

‘much to admire, especially the well-choreographed fight scenes’

A large cast for this spooky show set in a monastery, with plenty of thrills, twists and action to keep the audience engaged. Five people enter into a deserted gothic building having received mysterious invitations, which leaves them curious to know what to expect. Some of them believe it’s part of a game and others that it is a ritual. Only one of them, Evelyn (Phoenix Benham) knows the truth because she is already possessed by Lucien (Dragos Bejanaru), the leader of dark hooded creatures. 

All five guests are made to face their demons in a ritual, but their worst nightmare dawns when they discover that they cannot leave, unless one of them agrees to sacrifice themselves.  What happens next includes some neat twists in this two act production. Although there is much to admire, the show doesn’t quite come off because it sits between two styles of theatre, the melodramatic and the deeply naturalistic. It’s best in its more emotional scenes when the writing and the acting comes into its own.

The actors all have much ability and embody their characters with aplomb.  Benham is gorgeously expressive, and well matched by Tom Highmore as the charismatic boyfriend, Caleb. Sebastian Scott has a wonderful speech as the brother and Simon Bond adds contrast to the other cast members as Father Elias. Whilst not mentioning all the actors, individually,  particular praise must be given to the extremely well-choreographed fight scenes (Tom Highmore, Dominic Quinn and Joshua Richardson)

Unfortunately, there are a number of strange directorial and design choices. The opening voice over asking the audience to switch off their mobile phones and to impress upon them that anyone filming the show will be removed from the auditorium, doesn’t really need to be in an ‘evil’ pantomime voice. It adds nothing the show. Neither does the amateur looking backdrop with an image of the interior of a monastery.  Something rather more imaginative, might work better.  The sound track in the first act and for part of the second act, was too loud and meant that the audience had to strain to hear the actors.   Another problem is managing the large cast, at times some of them were standing around with little to do.  Some of these things are an easy fix and other need further work.

Overall, the main worry is that Benham is director, writer and also places herself as the central character. The show could benefit from an outside eye. Whilst Benham has no shortage of talent it is too much to expect a single person to bring the insight needed to enable a show to reach its full potential.

BOX OFFICE https://www.citizenticket.com/events/etcetera-theatre/the-summoned/

Creatives - Phoenix Benham (writer/producer/director), Ermelinda Luisa (Stage manager/Assistant Director), Byron Horne (Sound & Lighting Technician).

Cast -

Dragos Bejanaru as Lucien

Phoenix Benham as Evelyn

Tom Highmore as Caleb

Simon Bond as Father Elias

Dominic Quinn as Victor

Katy Bevan as Maya

Joshua Richardson as Dorian

Marsha Bevan as Poppy

Shannon Diggins as Mother/Hooded Figure

Sebastian Scott as Brother/Hooded Figure