Review: THE WICKED LADY, Blue Orange Theatre Birmingham
If you were ever fortunate enough to visit one of those grand old manor houses, you’ll have heard of Grey Ladies, and ghastly ghouls that roam the long corridors. These stories found me at residential trips with school, whispered amongst my class mates. No grand old manor is complete without a ghost story, generally a bruised female with emotional ties to the living world, unable to “cross-over” to the beyond. Sadly, too often these tales are founded in some kind of truth, the living trauma of someone long past turned into tales to be told on a dark winter’s night. The Wicked Lady is one such story. Katherine Ferrers 1934 – 1960, 26 years of life, a young failed marriage, a lost fortune and a life of crime.
Written and directed by James Williams, this adaptation of folklore will have you sat at the edge of your seat. Filled with tension and scares, any fan of the horror or thriller genre will take great pleasure in being escorted to Markyate Cell. Williams doesn’t shy away from comedy either, with smart and amusing breaks in the ever building tension, The Wicked Lady certainly packs a punch.
The Blue Orange Theatre is the perfect venue for this intimate and powerful production as the bijous theatre places you in the thick of the action, up close and personal. On the whole, the story is incredibly clear and the journey, a bumpy one. Act One sets up the tension brilliantly, long pauses and little movement build the tension in gentle increments, lulling the viewing into a false sense of security. Act Two brings a satisfying resolve with ample moments to make you jump in your seat, though some of the monologues feel indulgent at times.
Nicki Davy is captivating in the role of Alice Beaumont; her pedestrian approach at times inclines you to think she is leading the audience in the investigation. This investigator who refuses to work with other people is actually the leader of our team, and together we explore the tale of the Wicked Lady. The intimate venue works to Davy’s advantage as she delivers a most convincing and endearing performance. Saul Bache is cool and collected as Sergeant Sean Fenton. The Detective-come-Narrator is at times a little stoic, which feeds into the ambience of the play effectively but doesn’t leave you wholly convinced of his intentions.
Overall The Wicked Lady is a wonderfully engaging and immersive horror play. A feast for the senses with simple and powerful set and lighting design from Alex Johnson, complemented by clever and spine-tingling original compositions from Tomas Wolstenholme. A must see this winter.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Alanna Boden
The Wicked Lady plays at the Blue Orange Theatre until 16 October 2021, with tickets available here.