THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP. To 22 June.
Exeter
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP
A Penny Dreadful
by Charles Ludlam
Northcott Theatre To 22 June 2002
Mon-Sat 7.30 Mat Sat 22 2.30pm
Runs 2 hr One interval
TICKETS 01392 493493
Review Hazel Brown 14 June
Mayhem, mystery and melodrama reign in this glorious gothic spoof.David Delve and Andy Gray, helped by wonderful costume and wig changes, play all six main characters with verve and relish in this mock-gothic horror piece. Inspired by Victorian Penny Dreadfuls and cheap novels, the play is also liberally sprinkled with plot devices from classic film melodramas (Wuthering Heights, The Mummy and Rebecca) and littered with vampires, bats, werewolves and mummies. The whole confection is hilarious and great fun.
We first meet Jane Twisden (David Delve), the sinister housekeeper of Mandacrest Manor, and faithful Scottish retainer, Nicodemus Underwood (Andy Gray) discussing the arrival of Lord Hillcrest's new bride. As we hear the footsteps of Lady Enid approaching, Nicodemus complete with wooden leg, goes off, only for the actor to reappear seconds later beautifully robed as Lady Enid. Similar entrances and exits are amusingly covered by prolonged descriptions of walks through laburnum groves, past the wisteria and round the lake . . .
The plot is merely a device to introduce as many elements of the gothic horror story as possible - it twists and turns, occasionally at hilarious, life-threatening speed. The costumes are a testament to the designer's art and to the efficacy of velcro as they are donned and doffed by the two actors. This doubling nearly grinds to a halt when Lady Enid wants to meet Nicodemus and David Delve steps out of character to remind 'her' that this is impossible. David Delve and Andy Gray are a wonderful double act, feeding and playing off one another in all their personae with glee and gusto, not least when, as a reanimated Egyptian Mummy, Andy Gray dances seductively for Lord Edgar.
Charles Ludlam wrote this piece in 1987 for his Ridiculous Theatrical Company, which pursued theatricality, showiness and excess. This production meets these aims and provides a wonderful evening of light-hearted theatrical fun.
Jane Twisden/Lord Edgar Hillcrest/Irma Vep: David Delve
Nicodemus Underwood/Lady Enid Hillcrest/Alcazar: Andy Gray
Director: Richard Baron
Designer/Costume: Edward Lipscomb
Lighting: Ben Grashoff
Music: Jon Beales
2002-06-21 08:21:41