Ghostly goings on at The Priory

L-R: Rose Bird, Alex Brown, Ben Smith, Emma Ritson, Dan McAteer, Jo Banbury. Photo courtesy of The Priory.

The Revival written by James Cawood, playing at The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 25 October to 1 November. Directed by Connor Cunningham.

Review by Ann Evans

There’s some ghostly goings on at the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth, with the production of The Revival by James Cawood. This is a play within a play, as we meet a group of actors and their director trying to rehearse for their imminent opening night of a long lost and forgotten play called ‘Scared to Death’ by Lucian O’Keefe – a play that the director, Michael Prentice (Ben Smith) is passionate about, and positive it’s going to rejuvenate his failing career in the theatre.

However, Michael is close to having a nervous breakdown as he tries to get his cast and stage manager Clive Munroe (Paul Sanders) up to scratch. But he has a battle on his hands. Lights come on and off randomly, windows slam shut when they shouldn’t and he can’t get any sense from Stage Manager Clive up in the balcony who responds to Michael’s questions only by flashing the lights on and off.

Medium Zelma calls on the spirits. Photo courtesy of The Priory.

But that’s only half of this frantic director’s problems, so it seems.  The cast are far too laid back for his liking. Zelma Van Tanzen who plays Diana (Jo Banbury) a Shakespearean actress who makes no bones about telling them all how good she is - has no faith in this production and just hopes her agent doesn’t see her. Another three of the cast – let’s just go by their character names in Revival and real names – so Hugo (Alex Brown), Eddie (Dan McAteer) and Alison (Emma Ritson) believe newcomer Sophie (Rose Bird) is going to reduce the whole thing to a shambles because she can’t act and doesn’t know her lines. They want her sacked, but Michael has his own reasons for keeping her on.

So rehearsals for ‘Scared to Death’ struggle on, with the characters holding a séance. The medium, Zelma Van Tanzen arrives with her spirit bell and her spirit box and is determined to invite the ghost of Alderwick Hayle (once in love with the original leading lady) back into the house so that his spirit can be laid to rest. At least that’s her plan!

Professor Heath (left), alias Natasha Lea warns of the dangers. Photo courtesy of the Priory.

However, the sudden arrival of Professor Heath, Theatre Historian (Natasha Lea) stops rehearsals when she warns them and Director Michael that the play must stop or terrible things will befall the cast – and the audience! The play is cursed she warns them. Michael is furious and orders her to clear off! The actors aren’t so sure – and when strange things begin to happen too regularly, they seriously have their doubts.

The cast of Revival do a splendid job in swapping in and out of their character roles. Director Michael is excellent as the angry, loud, shouting image of how a director might be depicted – although I think theatre directors everywhere will be wincing in pain or chuckling as he bellows his orders at his cast.

Is there anybody there? Photo courtesy of The Priory.

Jo Banbury plays her roles brilliantly as she switches from tell-it-like-it-is actress Diana, to the ghostly medium Zelma, bringing just the right amount of humour and creepiness.

Loved the clumpy mutterings of Stage Manager Clive (Paul Sanders) as he dashes about the auditorium, and good portrayal of the various characters that Dan McAteer, Emma Ritson and Alex Brown are playing.  As for Rose Bird, who plays the scatty actress (Sophie Essenheimer and Betsy Grey in the play within the play) – I hope you’re following this, takes both roles in her stride – and it can’t be easy being an actress pretending not to be able to act! Well done all the cast.

Eddie (Dan McAteer) and Hugo (Alex Brown). Photo courtesy of The Priory.

We can't ignore the ghost of Alderwick Hayle (Becky Young) – a delightfully creepy portrayal of this character. I admit to feeling real chills down my spine and jumped with fright quite a few times. It was particularly effective in the way the characters used the main auditorium as well as the stage to come and go – which was starling at times - particularly when you’re sitting on the back row by the curtained entrance, as I was. I admit that I was constantly glancing back over my shoulder to make sure that spectre wasn’t behind me.

An excellent set, with props that reacted to the spookiness of the story exactly when they should, so certainly Revival Director Connor Cunningham had more control over his backstage crew than Michael did over his!

All in all, a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment – and perfect for this time of year. Perhaps the start of act one and act two were a bit wordy, explaining more than they needed to which slowed the story down, but in both acts, once they warmed up and events got under way, there was plenty to keep you focused on the ghostly goings on in front of you – with one eye over your shoulder, of course!

For tickets please go to: https://www.priorytheatre.co.uk/book  or call ticketsource on: 0333 666 3366.