REVIEW: DANGEROUS TO KNOW GrimFest at Old Red Lion 2 – 4 October 2024

"I didn't want to rob a grave alone."★★

In 1841, Claire Clairmont meets her stepsister, Mary Shelley, in St. Mary Magdalene Church, to pry open the tomb of her former lover, Lord Byron, to find a locket that contains the answer to a long held secret. Mary is resistant to the plan, but Claire is determined. As the night progresses and the two stepsiblings reminisce and debate past mistakes, they realise they are not alone...

On paper, "Dangerous To Know" is a fantastic premise - real historical and literary figures, love, loss, family conflict, social morality vs personal morality, sexist double-standards of the 1800's, mystery, suspense, and a hint of the supernatural. Sadly, its execution falls short. The play's greatest flaw lies in its assumption of the audience’s familiarity with the British romantic poets and their personal lives, and when it doesn't assume foreknowledge, it is weighted down by huge swathes of exposition necessary to bridge those gaps, creating stilted dialogue and slow pacing.

The set was austere but atmospheric, as was the music. The acting, while solid, failed to elevate the production. There were some nice touches of subtle humour peppered throughout the script, where we saw a flicker of these women outside of the extreme circumstances of the play, but it was used sparingly.

The characters of Claire and Mary, while ostensibly complex figures, are ultimately reduced to their relationships with Byron, a problematic figure in this play. Their interactions with each other and their sense of self-worth are heavily dependent on their connection to him (and Shelley), creating a one-dimensional picture of these women. This approach not only undermines their agency but also limits the exploration of their own complexities and contradictions.

While there were fleeting moments of emotional resonance, particularly when Claire expressed her heartbreak and anger at her enforced separation from her child, "Dangerous To Know" ultimately lacks the emotional depth and dramatic impact required to truly engage the audience.

DANGEROUS TO KNOW GrimFest at Old Red Lion 2 – 4 October 2024

Presented by Clair Obscur

Annie Power is the Artistic Director of Open Page Productions, and an award-winning writer and producer.