Sycamore Grove
★★★★☆ Sinister and captivating
Bedlam Theatre (venue 49): Wed 31 July – Sun 11Aug 2024
Review by Marion Geoffray
The unsettling nature of Sycamore Grove, which had its premiere at the 2023 Edinburgh Horror Festival and now returns to the Bedlam for Week One of the Fringe in a production from Slainte! Theatre, starts from the moment you enter venue.
An eerie soundtrack and four unsettling silhouettes on stage set a mysterious tone for the play, written by Daniel Williams and directed by Liam Rees. An air which is only reinforced by the fact that the Bedlam is a deconsecrated church.
Colin (Nicholas Alban) and Charlotte (Rebecca Wilkie), with guests Ben (Conor O’Dwyer) and Hannah (Cara Watson). Pic: Slainte! Theatre.
When the houselights go down, two couples are catching up over dinner: hosts Colin (Nicholas Alban) and Charlotte (Rebecca Wilkie), with guests Ben (Conor O’Dwyer) and Hannah (Cara Watson).
Their conversation is mundane; latest DIY plans, career updates, fertility chats and dark magic – the latter casually mentioned in passing by Colin as if it was the latest lifestyle trend that one needs to try in order to get your life together.
Alban’s controlling and charismatic suburban cult leader, Colin, with Wilkie oozing confidence and determination as his desperate wife Charlotte, finally convince their guests to go and see what its all about for themselves. Ben is sold straightaway, but Hannah is reluctant.
Back at home, the tension grows between Ben and Hannah. O’Dwyer gives a complex exploration of self-worth and addiction as Ben’s dabbling begins a descent into something else; balanced out by Watson’s strong and relatable interpretation of sanity as Hannah refuses to follow his lead.
Cara Watson and Conor O’Dwyer. Pic: Slainte! Theatre.
The power of suggestion in Williams’ writing is adeptly staged by Liam Rees. A little goes a long way. The staging of that opening scene is deceptively simple but terribly effective, while a handheld mic is used several times to manifest the invisible realm. The pace is bit uneven at times, but a very talented cast picks up the tempo delivering great performances.
The play cleverly builds on our modern obsession to find the magic formula that will fix all our mortal problems, asking us what price we are really willing to pay for the ultimate object of our desire.
Running time: One hour (no interval)
Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ (Venue 49).
Wednesday 31 July – Sunday 11 August 2024
Daily: 12.30pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
X: @LRees96
Nicholas Alban and Rebecca Wilkie with Cara Watson and Conor O’Dwyer. Pic: Slainte! Theatre.
ENDS
