REVIEW: THE BLAIR BITCH PROJECT by Finella Waddilove at Old Red Lion Theatre 15-18 Oct 2024

A delightfully terrifying tale of two estranged friends on a hike in Thetford Forest, trying to reconnect. Polar opposites, Kitty and Fay embark on an adventure into the wilderness, but Kitty has forgotten to bring the tent, charge her phone and is having a very strange physical reaction to a tampon...

Body horror meets buddy movie in this comedic and engaging two-hander that expertly plays on what we don't see, hinting at monstrous things while leaving much to the imagination, allowing the audience to fill in the blanks after being fed succulent snippets that are sinister and ghoulish. A feat indeed given that a lot of horror nowadays is oversaturated with gore, "The Blair Bitch Project" is playful and understated, making the horror elements all the more powerful.

Horror that explores themes of the female body and sexuality are few and far between, with notable exceptions such as "Rosemary's Baby" and "Under The Skin", but this play broaches its subject with a lightness of touch, humour and relatability. The backstory of Kitty and Fay's friendship and the challenges of maintaining a bond over time, when their lives have taken divergent paths, takes centre stage, keeping it grounded. It's skilfully executed and builds-up tension in a gradual, creeping fashion that is very effective, all credit to Finella Waddilove for such a deftly crafted script.

The lighting and sound design by Cam Pike is inspired. He's created an eerie soundscape that underscores the ominous atmosphere, building a sense of foreboding and danger that's so tangible it's uncomfortable at times.

The cast are first-rate and have excellent chemistry. Finella Waddilove as the energetic Kitty, who is desperately trying to lure the fun side out of her sensible friend, is joyful and charismatic, while Kathryn Crosby's portrayal of Fay manages to strike the right balance between pragmatic and sympathetic.

"The Blair Bitch Project" is a fun frolic with some genuinely disturbing moments and a fantastic lighting and sound design. It's a well thought out production that keeps you gripped until the very end.

Box Office: https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/the-blair-bitch-project.html