Macabre Resurrections

American horror writer Edgar Allan Poe amazingly was brought up in Stoke Newington exactly two hundred years ago. This is the basis for Second Skin Theatre company to adapt 6 of his most famous writing pieces at the Old St Mary's Church which he attended.

The setting is perfect. An old compact church with choral music playing and pew seats prepare you to expect the unexpected, a familiar event (theatre) in unfamiliar surroundings.

We are greeted by a kindly preacher ( Stephen Gonnery Brown) to guide us through whatever the evening will provide. He is then confronted by the Raven ( a sinister-looking David Hugh), in Rob Johnston's re-working of the classic poem.

No time to rest in our uncomfortable seats, we are soon on the move for Richard Allden's take on " The Cask of Amontillado". Site specific theatre has its flaws and bonuses. On the plus side, it gives you the opportunity to get truly involved in events you can't get from proscenium theatre. Conversely, if you get in the wrong position you can't see what is happening. Fortunately, I had the clarity of the author's words to convey the pictures I was lacking.

I was, however, better-placed for Jacob Hodgkinson's " The Pit & the Pendulum". Again, modern interpretations of classic drama have benefits and drawbacks. By setting this gothic horror with the current American rendition culture, it immediately connects with a modern audience. However, the repetitive use of swear words which is obviously authentic but it only serves to emphasize that great writers do not need such obvious shock tactics to create menace. Despite a great performance by Priyank Morjaria this was an opportunity missed and left a bad taste in the mouth.

Having neatly compartmentalised this evening into traditional "re-working good, up-dating bad" categories then Rob Johnston's " Premature Burial" made me revise my knee-jerk reaction. Soon we were outside and although I was in the wrong place to see the theatrical coup of the night, but this didn't matter. The story of Jake, a soldier, based in Helmond province who suffers from re-curring nightmares of being buried alive, was truly moving and haunting, with beautiful acting from all 3 performers.

Safely returned to our seats we were then unnerved by Mia Zara's impressive solo turn in Mike Garter's " The Black Cat". Disturbing, but this piece should have been shorter.

Like any good concert Second Skin held Poe's greatest hit " Masque Of The Red Death" for last. This was the most visual play of the night, cleverly bringing all the actors together for the 1st time.

Not quite finished until we discover the fate of the Preacher and then we are back out into the cold, dark Stoke Newington night, a lot more unnerved than when we arrived. Anyone expecting to shriek and jump like " Ghost Stories" or " The Woman In Black" will be disappointed. This is an evening about atmosphere and leaving with images (visual & verbal) that may account for future distured sleeps.

It is not a perfect evening. Not all of the acting is of high quality, you may not be able to see everything and it is too long. Stoke Newington is not an easy place to get to and from, so, if you have a show that last two hours and forty minutes, start at 7.30pm, not 8.

However, if you are bored with over-priced, over-blown, safe West End productions and want a rare theatrical event you can feel a part of, head to Macabre Resurrections. Arrive early and enjoy the impressive shops & restaurants that Church Street provides.