REVIEW | The Nag’s Head, Park Theatre

Reviews

20 Oct

Written by Cathie

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

The production contains sudden Loud Noises, Flashing Lights, Periods of Total Darkness, Swearing, Suicide References, Upsetting Themes, paranormal references

The Park Theatre classes The Nag's Head as a dark comedy. It contains original music from folk band Good Habits, and supposedly is based on real paranormal accounts, yet this debut production is also an ode to rural England and the independent pub. In theory it sounds like a perfect light spooky show to enjoy for Halloween as the nights turn darker and the sunlight grows shorter.

The room the show is based in is dark and chilly, which sets the scene well. The setting really brings to life the battered independent pubs many of us will remember from the 90s which smelt like stale cigarettes and feet but had a true community within. The use of lighting and contrast between flashing thunder and complete darkness is spooky and really adds atmosphere.

It starts with a fathers wake and showcases the characters of eldest wannabe business tycoon Sarah (Cara Steele), sofa surfer Conner (Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson), and writer and youngest teacher Jack (Felix Grainger). It fleshes out the characters well and brings out the themes of regret and family dysfunction in a way that feels uniquely British. Then an evil painting arrives and mysterious things happen. This talented cast works really well together and portrays the nuances of family dynamics and sibling squabbles well. You can really see their passion and they act out the character’s struggles and inner issues well. Cara Steele was definitely a stand out as her whole performance was a study in nuanced creepiness. Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson and Felix Grainger were also brilliant at showcasing the characters’ struggles against toxic masculinity and dealing with their vulnerabilities.

Without revealing the whole plot, creeping madness ensues as the characters spiral in different ways. The general jump scare effects you’d expect in this kind of show are utilised well. Although I think the most disbelievable paranormal element of this show is the idea a teacher has enough free time to run a pub and maintain a social life. The plot seesaws between the evils of big companies taking over pubs and removing their originality and heart, the plight of pubs in modern England and general spooky paranormal occurrences and haunted evil objects. Due to this unevenness, I spent most of the play befuddled and confused as to what themes and messages it was trying to portray. All the plot lines you can see being laid so carefully at the beginning feel clumsily grasped at the end and thrown together in a mish-mash of allegorical parallels and hurried endings.

It has all the ingredients of a superb spine chiller but can’t decide on its tone and so it’s watered down. This show has huge potential but it’s spread too unevenly. With a bit stronger and tighter direction this could transfer well to a larger venue and rival spooky classics written by M.R. James.

If you want a spooky night reminiscent of half-drunk ghost stories told at your local then this is the show for you.

At Park Theatre until 28 October.