Review: THE NAG’S HEAD, Park Theatre
Photo credit: Alice Chambers
With Halloween rapidly approaching, the mind inexorably turns to things that go bump in the night. Ghostly spirits return to haunt the places they once lived and the people they once knew. For those who wonder what might lie on the other side, it's the nightmare that becomes a reality. But what about a pub with ghosts in residence? Spirits looking for spirits perhaps? The UK premiere of The Nag's Head, upstairs at the Park Theatre, is the perfect venue for this story of sibling rivalry, family dynamics and a pub with murky secrets.
Three siblings re-unite at the funeral of their father. The wake appropriately takes place at the pub that they have now inherited. Jack (Felix Grainger) is the son who stayed closest to his father. Connor (Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson) is the drifter who has returned from his travels. Their sister Sarah (Cara Steele) has been similarly absent but is intrigued by the pub's potential as a business. A traditional pub in the countryside, closely tied to the local community, has its attractions. But what else does it need to bring the punters in? The slippery representative of a pub chain eyes things up, whilst a nosy reporter from the local rag sniffs around for a story. But a mysterious package soon arrives that changes everything.
The three main characters interact well and carry the narrative with ease. There are some funny scenes which are enhanced by brief musical interludes. The dark, cavernous space offered by the venue also complements a ghost story. The intimate lighting can be quickly extinguished to heighten the tension. A blood curdling scream and dull thudding nicely creates the desired effect. However, there seems to be something missing from the overall piece.
The writers Felix Grainger and Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson have opened a series of intriguing sub-plots but haven't really followed them through. The premise for the story is strong, but reverts to a safe formula that doesn't take many chances. The interval may also have come at the wrong point in the story, inadvertently breaking the tension, and may have worked better as a single act play. There is also a reliance on physical as opposed to psychological drama. A ghost story is difficult to stage and the feeling of suspense should remain in the heads of the audience, which doesn't always happen here. That said, The Nag's Head is a solid piece bursting with potential.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Brian Penn
The Nag’s Head plays at the Park Theatre until 28 October, with further information available here.