Please note this post contains affiliate links.
BrumHour was invited to the press night of The Exorcist by The Alexandra.
By Julie Wallis twitter.com/NiceNic63
Please note this production contains, violence, very strong language, incitement of sexual violence, vomit and gore.
The Exorcist at
The Alexandra
Directed by Sean Mathias, play written by John Pielmeier, based on the novel by William Peter Blatty
Calling all fans of true horror, The Exorcist is at The Alexandra and it’s every bit as nasty as it ever was.
For those readers unaware of the story, it centres around 12-year-old Regan (Susannah Edgley) who is inhabited by a demon. After doctors and psychologists have tried and failed to cure Regan, her mother Chris (Sophie Ward) begs for help from the church. Father Merrin (Paul Nicholas) is sent for to perform an exorcism on Regan and so the horror begins.
This is an incredibly graphic, violent, horrific horror, and make no bones about it, you will scream, possibly within the first minute. I am not ashamed to say I screamed and I jumped. I even had goosebumps when Regan levitates. Most of the famous scenes from the movie are in here and I was not at all disappointed. Disgusted yes, disappointed no! This is not a play to soothe your worries away but it is excellent entertainment.
Very cleverly done and with some amazing acting. Although Miss Edgley’s performance is terrific, as was all the cast, I really did enjoy uncle Burke (Tristram Wymark) who brings a touch of humour to the otherwise heavy story.
Some of the scenes do make for very uncomfortable viewing, and for anyone who knows the story it should come as no surprise, but that doesn’t make it any easier to watch Regan and the crucifix. Beautifully staged, this atmospheric piece will send shivers up your spine.
I loved the set, it incorporated Regan’s bedroom, the attic room, the church, the sitting room and stairs and the focus of the audience was directed by lighting the appropriate room and plunging the rest of the stage into darkness. I feel this is also the perfect place to mention Ben Hart, who is the illusion designer. I genuinely did get shivers thanks to Ben’s skills in his craft.
This is a very scary piece of theatre and also wonderfully entertaining for horror fans. The Exorcist is so very different from the usual uplifting musical or fun farce that I’m used to attending, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do the scare factor justice. Get your Halloween spook on and get yourself down The Alexandra this week for a fear fest. I defy you not to feel something untoward.
The Exorcist is at The Alexandra until 19th October. Book tickets with BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.
Tour Dates continue at:
Opera House, Manchester 22nd to 26th October: Book tickets with BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.
The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin 29th October to 2nd November. Tickets here: gaietytheatre.ie/events/the-exorcist
The Kings Theatre, Edinburgh 5th to 9th November. Tickets here: capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/the-exorcist
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness 12th to 16th November. Tickets here: eden-court.co.uk/event/the-exorcist
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen 19th to 23rd November. Tickets here: aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/drama/the-exorcist/2272/#schedules
This isn’t a sponsored post.
When not blogging theatre for #BrumHour, Julie Wallis can be found protesting about poor customer service on twitter or writing on her own blog at redandgoldweb.wordpress.com
