The best of silver-screen horror brought to the stage.
The Witching Hour is a spine-tingling success. James Williams’ original show is not for the faint of heart; somehow he has managed to bring the best of silver screen horror to the stage. Brilliantly written, staged, and performed, The Witching Hour is an evocative, mind-bending work of theater.
The story immediately draws the audience in. Mark Kitto, as Professor Dubois, made us a part of his world with a lecture in which we were the students. Kitto’s performance was phenomenal, perfectly embodying the different facets of the historian Dubois; his portrayal of the Reverend was of equal brilliance, personifying the traditionally dark witch trial era persecutor. Eleanor May Blackburn’s performance as Elspeth Langford was chilling. Witnessing her suffering and hearing her howls was gut-wrenching; her screams in the close of act one left the entire theater frozen. Though an incredible cast as a whole, additional accolades must be given to Saul Bache and Jessica Porter as the Bailey siblings. Their chemistry was the perfect portrayal of the sibling relationship. Bache’s performance as Sam infused a wonderful lightness into the show; he was a constant source of amusement despite the intense subject matter yet he also effortlessly conveyed great emotional depth throughout his frightening journey. Porter as Erin Bailey was nothing short of incredible. Her performance was emotional and invigorating, bringing to mind Florence Pugh in Ari Aster’s Midsommar. Even now, I can hear her terrified screams echoing in my head.
Set and Lighting Designer, Alex Johnson, has worked magic. Stone steps, cellar doors, herb gardens, and, most impressively, a wall of carved skulls are just a few of the incredible things Johnson used to draw us into Torhill Wood. Limited and well-placed lights create the perfect setting for a thriller; particularly intelligent was the use of under-lighting which gave the actors a ghost-story glow. Dan Clarkson’s sound design complimented Johnson’s genius. The eerie music and echoed screams gave the audience the same anticipatory anxiety that makes horror films so addictive.
It is difficult to discuss the best of The Witching Hour without ruining it because it is the twists and turns of the plot that makes it so memorable. Williams’ work keeps the audience on its toes as more and more information is revealed to us. The story goes far beyond a simple thriller; drawing on history and psychology, it culminates in an emotional tale that will tug on your heart-strings even as it sends your blood pressure through the roof. The parallels between characters and the show’s perfectly balanced bookending is a testament to Williams’ talent as a playwright and director.
The Witching Hour is an experience unto itself. Theater comes in many forms, but it is not often that horror is brought to the stage especially with this degree of success. I would love to detail every brilliant aspect of this show, but that would ruin it, so all I can recommend is that you take the earliest opportunity to go and see it for yourself.
The Witching Hour is an unforgettable theatrical experience.