Darkly whimsical and surprisingly political, this one-man adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s tale is a perfectly spooky way to spend an autumn evening.
Written and performed by Dave Robb, The Devil in the Belfry is a one-man adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s darkly whimsical short story from 1839. With direction from Flavia D’Avila, this captivating performance will leave audiences on the edge of their seats as earnest narrator Handel Fledermaus relates the thrilling tale of an orderly village descending into chaos.
Dave Robb is the perfect performer to bring this story to life, as he weaves moments of morbid humour into a quirky yet chillingly suspenseful narrative. A confident, masterful storyteller, Robb whisks audiences away to the beautiful, isolated valley of ‘Vondorvotteimittiss’ – Poe’s cheekily named hamlet with a deep love for order and rigorous timekeeping. This ostensible peace is soon to be shattered, however, as audiences are warned at the start about the ‘catastrophe’ which has befallen the unsuspecting villagers upon the arrival of the titular devil. In one short hour, this catastrophe unfolds in a well-paced, enthralling monologue.
With sharp, clear changes in his expression and posture, Robb gradually expands the cast of characters as he brings this village to life. Throughout the show, simple yet effective lighting changes add drama to the shifting moods of the piece, and Robb and D’Avila’s deeply creative use of props create dynamic and evocative impressions of the village as a simple coat rack and cane transform into telescopes and towers. Robb’s energy and focus bring audiences immediately into the world of the narrator, Handel Fledermaus, and at certain points the audience is even asked to step into various roles within the tale. While Poe’s original story is written as a travelogue, the choice to create Handel as a central character and narrator adds urgency and intensity to this adaptation.
Fans of Poe’s work may notice a few references to his other short stories, and will surely appreciate the chance to delve into one of Poe’s lesser-known, more humorous works. This story is also a timely one, as Poe explores themes of xenophobia and the fear of change which are pressingly relevant to today’s society. Poe’s story has a tongue-in-cheek satirical tone, poking fun at the isolated and prejudiced villagers, and Robb and D’Avila’s adaptation perfectly captures both the wittiness and the eerie rural horror of the original tale, leaving audiences wondering who the true villain of the piece is.
The Devil in the Belfry is running from September 24th to 28th at the Barons Court Theatre at 7:30 PM.