REVIEW: Triskaidekaphobia by Brian McInally at Old Red Lion Theatre 17 – 19 October 2023
‘the actors relish their roles in this hotel horror’★★★★
The show opens with echoes of Norman Bates Motel in Psycho, Hitchcock’s low budget but highly effective horror film. The stage is set with the peculiar hotel manager, Osbert, standing behind the desk, staring intently at a computer screen. The play quickly sets up a conflict between him and his only guests for the week, Janet & Alfie who are here, at the Borden Grange hotel, to enjoy their wedding anniversary. The run down hotel is not as salubrious as they had hoped and, their host, is quick to point out that their room is haunted, but it does have the romantic element of a four poster bed. The play quickly diverges from pure horror into a comedy with lines expertly delivered. It is laugh out loud funny.
With little set and judiciously used lighting and sound, the focus of attention is on the action and the grim humour. Expect belly laughs, ghosts, and tall tales with twists a plenty. Praise to the expert script by Brian McInally, and the director, Rosie Barwick, who has taken the decision that it should not be played for laughs, but rather have that edge of reality that we might expect from a really good horror.
The actors really seem to relish their roles. Jack Robertson as Mr (Osbert) Richardson adds an amusing creepiness; we always suspect he’s up to bad deeds, even though we might suspect that his strangeness stems from abject loneliness (or isolation). Hannah Fretwell as Janet is incredible with her wonderful facial expressions and her expert comic timing; all of her quip’s land with precision. Kenichiro Thomson as handsome husband Alfie is a good foil – someone has to be the straight man (or the man next door).
The energy dropped for a moment, just before the twists started to kick in. It’s probably not a negative, but rather a sign that the scenario was pushed to its limits before taking a fresh turn and picking back up again.
Highly enjoyable show.
Triskaidekaphobia by Brian McInally at Old Red Lion Theatre
part of GRIMFEST
17 – 19 October 2023 7pm
Box Office https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/Triskaidekaphobia.html
A MediumRare Production
Director – Rosie Barwick
Cast:
Jack Robertson - Mr Richardson
Kenichiro (Ken) Thomson - Alfie
Reviewed by Heather Jeffery
We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication
A ONEOFF Special Award has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs, with sensitive editing, and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre