Silver Travel Advisor was asked to review the Exorcist, so we sent two members of the team with strong dispositions to give their opinion on this new adaptation of a classic thriller, starring Jenny Seagrove and Peter Bowles.
The Phoenix Theatre’s current running production of The Exorcist, adapted from William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel is an intense production that aims to replicate the fear and suspense of one of the most iconic horror films of all time.
The show opens with young Regan and her film star mother who have just moved into an old creaky house. Over the course of the play we are introduced to an assortment of characters who all aim to help save Regan from the demon (voiced by Ian McKellen) who has possessed her. The set design, by Anna Fleischle, is extremely effective in the performance, as the multi layered pieces that make up the house, a church and even a desert gives the play stunning visuals. The use of highlighting only one area of the stage at a time also adds to the sense of unease in the audience as not every area is being revealed.
The Exorcist features several compelling character performances, including Adam Garcia’s portrayal of Karras, the priest/therapist who is tormented by the memory of his mother. The journey his character makes throughout the piece is compelling as has the audience rooting for his success. Tristan Wymark’s performance is the comedic relief, as Burke who brings a lighter tone to the dark performance, and provides the audience with several good one-liners.
The story is very clear to follow in the beginning, with a good setup of the lead characters and their relations to one another. As the play continues, more concentration is required to fully understand who the new characters being introduced are and what their role in the story is. The climax of the piece comes towards the end, where the exorcism of Regan is finally performed. It is very dramatic although not as scary as we had thought it might be.
Overall, there are many tense and gripping aspects of The Exorcist, and it is an interesting adaptation of a movie which has stood for many years as one of the great horror films. However, it is not too terrifying, so would be safe for anyone with a more nervous disposition.
