The Poltergeist by Philip Ridley, Studio 2, The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 until 13 October 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

Photo Credit: Simon Annand.

The Poltergeist by Philip Ridley, Studio 2, The Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 until 13 October 2025,

5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Stunning performance.”

A stunning performance from Louis Davison as the damaged teenager, once a child prodigy because of his painting, now living with his out of work boyfriend and facing up to the fact he hates his family – he damages things – makes this Philip Ridley monologue a thrilling experience. Directed by Wiebke Green the evening builds up tension as it proceeds and is a must see if you have been to Pitchfork Disney currently at the King's Head. Ridley is a very interesting playwright – among other things. Monologues are tricky at the best of times, but Davison brings his disturbed and disturbing young man brilliantly to life as he copes with his relationship with his older brother, a talented niece who, worryingly, seems to be going to follow in his footsteps, and a birthday party at which he meets people from his past. It is a lament for what might have been but was destined not to be and has become something that will haunt the boy for the rest of his life. Davison moves from being sweetly jolly, someone one would want to meet, to someone one it slowly but skillfully becomes clear to avoid. Poltergeists are not nice beings. He also has the ability to keep an audience on three sides fixed on what he is doing. It was intended to be part of a double bill with Ridley's Tarantula but illness prevented that being performed on press night. A pity obviously but Davison in Poltergeist was up to the stand-alone challenge.

Cast

Louis Davison – Sasha

Creatives

Director – Wiebke Green