As you sit amongst the ghosts of the past on arrival, a chilling ambience is instantly fashioned. This haunting depiction of the grief-stricken life of Edgar Allen Poe is skilfully portrayed both theatrically and electronically. The effects of such a composition combine with the strength of a youthful cast and tasteful period staging to generate a unique performance. However, at times the plot appears perplexing, with such an insightful look into Poe’s ‘Mind of Madness’ proving challenging to convey logically. With flashbacks, hallucinations and discomfiting recollections performed within a short space of time, often in the same scene, the production lacks clarity. As a result, if you are unaware of Poe’s tortured story, you will find yourself drifting.
Church Hill Theatre, 8 – 13 (not 9, 12), times vary, £5.00, fpp259.
tw rating 3/5
[mj]
Sections: by Megan Joyce - ED2011 Theatre Reviews - tw rating 3/5 | Tags: American High School Theatre Festival, Church Hill Theatre
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