Review: The Exorcist

Something rather unusual and chilling has arrived at Milton Keynes Theatre this week. Possibly the scariest movie of all time, at least when it was first in cinemas in 1973, has been adapted for the stage. The Exorcist play is actually based on the book by William Peter Blatty, published in 1971, which was very important to the show’s playwright John Pielmeier who said in an interview in the show’s programme, ‘I certainly want to stay true to the story that people know, but I also want to explore elements of the book that they may not be familiar with. I want to fulfil their expectations while at the same time surprising them’. It absolutely gave the audience what they wanted, bringing new life to this famous head-spinning horror.

As a bit of a scary movie buff, I’ve seen my fair share of all things spooky, chilling and downright terrifying and must say this show did not disappoint! From start to finish, the goosebumps just kept coming. One of the best show starts that I’ve experienced (across any genre) that plunged the audience straight into the dark and thick of the story. 

The potty-mouthed demon that possesses poor Regan is as spiteful and disgusting as ever and the actress portrayed both her characters brilliantly. On the one hand she is a sweet, innocent little girl that longs for love and attention from her family and on the other she is the possessed Latin-speaking, aggressive, spitting Devil himself.

The staging was simple yet remarkably clever with a few rooms of the house, the attic, the outdoors and the church scenes all playing out across one set with the use of some screens and clever lighting. They also use a very smart and effective screen as the background to Regan’s bedroom where we see spooky happenings alongside flashes and crashes of thunder throughout the theatre. 

The lead characters were skilfully played by the actors which include theatre veteran Paul Nicholas as Father Merrin, Sophie Ward as Chris MacNeil, Ben Caplan as Father Damien Karras and Tristram Wymark as Uncle Burke. To top it off, the Demon is voiced by Ian McKellen – what more do we need?

The show is indeed chilling, but I can highly recommend it to anyone, not just fans of this genre. It was certainly a different audience experience to plays from other categories or musicals of course and was a night I thoroughly enjoyed. As stage designer Anna Fleischle said in the programme, ‘I am hoping that the audience will leave having been shaken to their core. I would like them to feel a sense of relief in the knowledge that they are going back to their safe and protective homes where there are no demons lurking in the dark – or are there?’

The Exorcist is on until 12^th October, for tickets, go to www.atgtickets.com

A Judgement in Stone

This play is from one of Ruth Rendell`s best novels and if you like a traditional who dunnit then you won`t be disappointed. The story is very much of its time being set in the 1970s however it feels more set in the 1940`s with themes that just wouldn`t wash today. It certainly harks back to a time of inequality and class division. 

That aside it was a competent portrayal. The setting is a country house with a well to do family, the Coverdales who are all suddenly murdered. Who did it and why. There are of course the usual array of suspects who all could have some sort of motive and when the end came it was quite fast and almost unbelievable. As senseless murders go then this was top of the list. 

The cast were, as to be expected from this set of esteemed actors, word perfect and competent. There were many flashes of humour particularly from the rather bizarre character Joan Smith the post lady played by Deborah Grant. 

The set is a simple one with all the action set in the one scene. The story is mostly told in flashback with the detectives acting as the cohesive element explaining and bringing the story together. There was a good attention to detail in the set with various technology and items from the 1970s which some of us can vaguely remember such as the cassette recorder, the old dial telephone and the traditional hoover. The audience seemed positively charmed by these memories.

If you want to sit back and be entertained by a traditional whodunnit then Judgement in Stone is on at MK Theatre until the 29th July.

Tickets from www.atgtickets.com or telephone 0844 871 7652 (booking fee applies)

Macbeth at the Mill

How well acquainted with good old William Shakespeare are you? Is he the name linked to the painful hours spent studying at school not understanding what the seemingly made-up language meant? Or is he more of an idol for you, and key to the start of great theatre? Either way, why not experience a live production of Macbeth from the Sharnbrook mill theatre company? In celebration of 450 years since Shakespeare's birth, this production is set to be a powerful representation of the tragedy which is considered to be one of his darkest and powerful works.

If you have yet to be acquainted with Macbeth, or it's just been a while, let us remind you of the storyline... The play is set around a brave general named Macbeth, who receives a prophesy from some witches that he will one day become King of Scotland. This good, upright man allows blind ambition for this prophesy to come true lead him to arrogance, madness and eventually death. This is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, and is being shown at 7.30pm from tonight-Saturday (15th-20th September)

Tickets are available by calling the box office on: 01234 718112, from the Sharnbrook Post Office or online here.

Woodland Activities for the kids this summer!

Milton Keynes Play Association are running 2 weeks of woodland adventure activities over the summer holidays. Kicking off this Monday (4th August) and finishing on the 15th, it's set to be great fun for children from 6 years and over. Located in the semi-ancient natural wood near Olney, Hollington Wood will be home to the activities for the kids.

Activities include scramble nets, rope bridges, woodland skills, nature play, swings, dens and of course, meeting the resident pigs! Children will have a great time learning new things about the woodland and having fun playing on the swings and nets. The sessions run from 8.45am to 5.30pm, and costs just £25 per child and includes a snack, children need to bring their own packed lunch.

For more information visit the website or email: pal@mkpa.co.uk