A macabre tonic to pantomime season
In the information age we live in, we are never far from sensationalism, whether through news outlets or social media. In the late ’60s and into the 1970s, London had its own sensational story brewing, that centred on alleged demonic happenings and visitations to North London cemeteries, writes Christopher Peacock.
Bag of Beard Theatre Collective now present their take on this piece of London folklore in their dark comedy The Highgate Vampire. The show is framed as a lecture presented by Bishop Sheffield (Alexander Knott) and Farringdon, a tobacconist and self-proclaimed vampire hunter (James Demaine). Together they present evidence and testimony relating to the demonic sightings at Highgate Cemetery and the dramatic night in August 1970 as the hunt for the vampire nears its conclusion.
As they reenact each account and scene, we learn that, although both seek the vanquishing of the same vampire, their partnership is far from cooperative. Their bickering and eye-rolling add to the farcical and quite bonkers nature of the whole affair.
Running at 70 minutes this production, directed by Ryan Hutton, is a sharp and witty piece of fringe theatre. The cameo appearances from ‘Audrey the Technician’, who happens to be played by the show’s producer, Zöe Grain, adds another layer of humour to the proceedings and provides a character for the audience to empathise with. The pacing is perfect for the style of show, and they opt to not ‘send up’ the performances to Carry On levels, although there is certainly room to do so.
Mark Twain famously posited that “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities: Truth isn’t.” and with Bag of Beard’s The Highgate Vampire you can really see some of Twain’s reasoning. Although theirs is a work of fiction they can and do unnervingly state that ‘More of this is true than we would like’.
After having successful runs at The Glitch in Waterloo it is no surprise to see this back as a slightly macabre tonic to pantomime season.
Omnibus Theatre until 30th December.
Booking and full details: https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/the-highgate-vampire/
