REVENANT

 

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 19^th 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-19^th 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