Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe is an Adelaide Fringe offering from emerging theatre company, Reverb Theatre, and it is not a small undertaking for a young cast.
Edgar Allan Poe has been a flavour of the Fringe in a variety of forms over the years, from John Astin, of The Addams Family, in Once Upon a Midnight to Dawson Nichol’s I Might Be Edgar Allan Poe – and not forgetting the legendary Stephen Berkoff’s one-man version of The Tell-Tale Heart.
Now, we are presented with an ensemble piece, by US playwright Eric Coble, which brings together three of Poe’s most recognizable works: ‘The Raven’, ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’.
From its opening moments, in an overtly long blackout, within which we hear feet stomping and fingers clicking – possibly to convey a storm or tempest, but never adequately explained – we are aware that this will not be a standard theatre piece.
As the lights come on we are greeted by Poe, caught in a quandary – is he, or is he not, mad? He asks how he could not be, after the loss of his beloved Lenore – thought to be an allusion to his late wife, Virginia – and ‘The Raven’ begins.
The Raven is embodied in the cloaked form of Ellie Heard – who will only ever utter the infamous ‘Nevermore’ – while the rest of the narrative poem is delivered by Liam Andrews (Poe) Ethan Pilley (Edgar) and Mark Oakley (Roderick). The pace and vocals are well established and the space is balanced with their positioning.
From here, we have another blackout, covered by further physicality, before twin pools of light arise on two young ladies – Ellie Heard and Madeleine Rogers – who mirror each other’s movements through ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’. This was a brilliant staging decision and enhanced the dramatic intensity of the psychological warfare of this piece.
Finally, it’s another cornerstone of Poe’s literary works – ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ – bringing the play full-circle, as Poe (Liam Andrews) returns, this time as the murderer of the old man with the ‘vulture eye’ – taken to task by police officers, Jade Walsh and Madeleine Rogers. Ultimately, he is put to death, never conceding his state of mind.
The play was simply, but effectively, set on the mostly bare stage of the Brighton Performing Arts Centre, with minimal furnishings and a clever lighting plot, which sets the mood for each piece.
This was a very mature piece for a young cast to undertake – and they should be commended for their performances – but it lacked the darker, edgier aspects of the more mature, previously mentioned productions. This said, Reverb Theatre will be worth keeping an eye on (and maybe a sliver of light from a dark lantern) for their willingness to push the limits.
Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe
Written by Eric Coble
Director: Henry Bullitis
Producer: Jade Walsh – Reverb Theatre
Cast: Liam Andrews, Ethan Pillay, Mark Oakley, Ellie Heard, Madeleine Rogers, Jade Walsh, Henry Vaughan
Brighton Performing Arts Centre, North Brighton
22 – 23 February
Adelaide Fringe
www.adelaidefringe.com.au
15 February – 17 March
