It is a complicated logistical exercise to put on stage all the elements familiar from the film, and to deliver them with an authentic sense of menace. Often it works, the bed shaking and 360-degree head rotation are very effective.
THE EXORCIST – West End
With Stage Review’s editor, Anne Cox, still too traumatised from seeing the film as a teenager more than 40 years ago (yes, it’s true – ed), I was packed off, with nerves of steel and crucifix in pocket, into the pitch-black, creaking, dress circle of London’s Phoenix Theatre for The Exorcist.
THE EXORCIST – West End
With Stage Review’s editor, Anne Cox, still too traumatised from seeing the film as a teenager more than 40 years ago (yes, it’s true – ed), I was packed off, with nerves of steel and crucifix in pocket, into the pitch-black, creaking, dress circle of London’s Phoenix Theatre for The Exorcist.
THE EXORCIST – West End ★★★★
Be warned, The Exorcist is, quite rightly, billed as age 18+ and definitely not for the faint-hearted. An atmospheric and very dark evening’s entertainment.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Exorcist at the Phoenix Theatre
Classic horror film The Exorcist is brought to life on stage for the first time in this new production directed by Sean Mathias and running at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre until 10 March 2018. But does it thrill and scare audiences as it should?
THE EXORCIST – West End
After a premiere in Birmingham last year, Sean Mathias’ production of The Exorcist has resurfaced in the West End in the hope of recreating the chills and thrills of the 1973 movie, despite the fact that it is notoriously difficult to get horror right in the theatre.
Happy Halloween: Clare Louise Connolly talks about playing Regan in The Exorcist
We worked a few scenes during the audition run, including the iconic movie moment where Regan spins her head around. I made sure I told our director Sean Mathias that my neck was extremely flexible!
NEWS: Casting announced for West End premiere of The Exorcist
Jenny Seagrove, Peter Bowles, Adam Garcia and Clare Louise Connolly reprise their performances in the West End transfer of The Exorcist.
TWILIGHT SONG – Park Theatre
Sadly, despite a few crisp one-liners and a catchy title I’m surprised was never used elsewhere, Twilight Song emerges as a frail Rattiganesque slice of sixties’ repressed sexuality contrasted with an awkward contemporary tryst between Adam Garcia’s cash-strapped estate-agent-turned-hustler and Paul Higgins’ desperate mothers’ boy.
TWILIGHT Song – Park Theatre
Completed shortly before his death in 2014, Kevin Elyot’s Twilight Song now belatedly receives its premiere courtesy of the Park Theatre. The play doesn’t emerge as one of his strongest though; the shadow of the excellent My Night With Reg lingers long over the scant 75 minutes here.
TWILIGHT SONG – Park Theatre
Barry’s relationship with his mother is at best difficult, but as we delve into their family history it soon becomes clear the depth of resentment that Isabella has had for events that have taken place in her life such as the loss of a child and a distant (as it turns out gay) husband and her constant struggle to accept the way her life has turned out.
TWILIGHT SONG – Park Theatre
The premiere of Kevin Elyot’s final play, Twilight Song, in the 50th anniversary year of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, is a fitting tribute to a creator who writes honest and open queer theatre. And as such, it’s a bittersweet tale, effortlessly interweaving stories of past regrets and frustrated presents.
NEWS: Theatre N16 announces new season
In his first season as artistic director of Theatre N16, Scott Ellis presents a slew of new writing.
Olympilads by Andrew Maddock, produced by Lonesome Schoolboy and directed by Niall Phillips, reunites the team that presented He(art) at Theatre N16 earlier this year.
NEWS: Adam Garcia Leads Cast of Kevin Elyot’s Final Play, Twilight Song
Adam Garcia, Bryony Hannah and Paul Higgins will lead the cast in a new Park200 production of Twilight Song, the final play by Kevin Elyot and set on summer evenings in the 1960s and the present day.
THE EXORCIST – Birmingham
The majority of us are familiar with the original horror film which was based on the novel by William Peter Blatty. To this day, it can still turn my stomach (not my head… fortunately!) and make my toes curl, so, looking for a play to watch on the run up to Halloween?
THE EXORCIST – Birmingham
There’s a well-earned hurrah (or should that be scream?) for this evening of hokum that’s currently playing in Birmingham over the Halloween fortnight. As the audience take their seats the house lights are gradually built up to a full on brightness before plunging the auditorium into a shriek-filled darkness and we’re off.
NEWS: The Exorcist gets UK stage premiere in Birmingham, Cast announced
A new production of The Exorcist, directed by Sean Mathias, will receive its UK premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from Friday 21 October to Saturday 5 November 2016. The cast features Jenny Seagrove in the role of Chris, Peter Bowles as Father Merrin and Adam Garcia as Damien.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Jonathan Church directs Singin’ in the Rain
We may not have needed another revival of Singin’ in the Rain, but slick, glossy, intelligent productions of this scale are always a welcome sight.
TICKETS: Mark’s Top Ten recommendations + this week’s openings (14 Dec)
Another week of big openings ahead means I won’t be getting to everything even if I wanted to (and right now I am still trying to take it easier than I used to), let alone playing catch-up on what I missed when I was incapacitated after my recent double rounds of surgery! Here are the main openings of the week to look out for, followed by my current Top 10.
TICKETS: Mark’s Top Ten recommendations + this week’s openings (7 Dec)
What’s opening in London and beyond this week, plus my personal Top Ten of the Week including Bend it Like Beckham and The Winter’s Tale
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