REVENANT
Written by
Stewart Roche
Lock 91,
Century Street, Manchester
Until 29
September
Review by
Brian Gorman
Well, it's been a while! This is my first theatre show since the whole covid ordeal began. Almost two years away, and a great one to start with -
This was my
first visit to Lock 91, a cosy, converted 19th century lock-keeper’s
cottage, down by Deansgate Locks. A superbly ideal location for this creepy,
evocative, and chilling one man play. A Revenant is defined as something from
the past, or something that is back from the dead. A rather suitable title for
this 80-minute piece; a UK premiere written by Stewart Roche, and performed by Patrick
O’Donnell, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the imagined offspring of Jack
Nicholson and Alien’s Tom Skerritt. His wiry frame, jittery onstage body
language, and mesmeric stare worked magnificently well in the confined
theatrical space, with room for just twenty-five audience members on its church
pews and hard wooden chairs.
Patrick O'Donnell
The story
introduces us to Carter, a low (micro) budget film director, hired to work on a
zombie film set during the Irish famine of the mid-19th century. We
join the story as Carter takes a call in his hotel room, informing him that his
leading man has pulled out, and he has no alternative but to employ the
enigmatic Vardell. There is a tight 3 day shooting schedule on an island off
the coast of County Mayo, at a remote country house, with a small but resolute
crew. Complications arise when it transpires that the leading lady is an old
flame of Vardell’s, but the smooth talking old louche has retained his old-school
charm. O’Donnell gives us some wonderful characterisations, using only his
voice and subtle changes in body language and posture. There are no props,
costumes, or major stage shenanigans, save for the odd subliminal shift in lighting,
and a few traditional sound effects (a sudden knocking at the door is always guaranteed
to startle). Atmosphere builds as the isolated cast and crew toil day and night
to complete their no frills, no sub text, zombie flick. There is a great
evocation of the classic 1970s chiller ‘The Wicker Man’, and one can easily
imagine the magnetic Vardell being embodied by the great Christopher Lee. O’Donnell
channels Robert Downey Junior’s Sherlock Holmes when supplying Vardell’s
dialogue, with a beautiful mix of charm, waspish wit, and seductive menace.
Suffice to say, Carter and his bedraggled crew end up with far more than they
bargained for, and really should have seen all the warning signs. But, this is
also a great satire on the film-making process, as well as the horror movie
genre. Whilst seeking to create an imagined horror, the hapless company fail to
witness their real-life predicament. Patrick O’Donnell’s wired, wild-eyed energy
vividly breathes life into the grand finale, when Carter finally realises just
what Vardell is, and what a disastrous casting decision he has made.
Revenant is a
lot of fun, and boasts a great performance by the excellent Patrick O’Donnell.
I have no idea who may have directed the piece, as there was no information
available at the venue. I would suggest to any theatre company, that they have
at least a flyer with credits and contact details. No need for an expensive
programme, but just something to help promote the work. I’d also be grateful
for an interval, as 80 minutes sitting on a hard wooden chair in a confined
space numbs even the supplest of derrieres. Thankfully, O’Donnell’s masterly
performance made the time fly, and the nether regions survived intact.
Brian Gorman
