REVIEW: The Séance by Christopher Stagg, GrimFest at Old Red Lion Theatre 30 October 2024

‘Convincing and satisfying to watch’ ★★★★

The question of the dead communicating with the living is addressed in this slice of Victoriana. It begins with two friends arriving for a  Séance at the former home of a dead girl which is now owned by a spiritualist medium. Sophie (Emily Cordell) has been having premonitions about the girl and a perceived threat to Jonathan (Caleb O'Brien), that he is to die. 

Jonathan is sceptical but the Sophie is genuinely concerned, hence the visit to the medium (Sara Dee). The medium tells them that she’s really here to read the Tarot cards, but the couple insist on further investigation which leads to tampering with the Ouija board, which as we all know is a dangerous thing to do. 

The production plays brilliantly on common beliefs about mediums, and about the occult. It doesn’t shy away from scepticism or the suspicion that the medium is a charleton. Instead, these are part of the story, which helps audiences to have a suspension of disbelief when the visitation of the actual ghost occurs, bringing with it some horrific consequences. The production and the cast take the audience with them . Along the way we learn various technical terms, poppets, scrying techniques and using a planchette which all adds a sense of authenticity.

The pacing is exactly right thanks to careful direction by the writer Christopher Stagg. The writing is also spot on. Stagg allows time for each new idea to be absorbed by the audience. The cast play their roles with conviction, including Stagg’s own daughter, Isabella Stagg, who plays the role of the dead girl, her performance is rather scary, with the help of clever effects from .Tammy Clark-Barrett.  

The play is quite convincing and satisfying to watch. The humour in early part of the play, brings laughter from the audience which often sounds a little nervous. Economic and well played, it is highly recommended viewing, but as it only had one performance, we must hope that it will get another run in the not-too-distant future.

Presented by Christopher Stagg& Psychnosis Productions

Twitter: @CW_Stagg

Cast and creatives below:

The Medium - Sara Dee

Sophie - Emily Cordell

Jonathan - Caleb O'Brien

Emily Stroud - Isabella Stagg

The Voice - Nicholas Vince

Writer / Director - Christopher Stagg

Producer - Elisabeth Stagg

Music / Effects - Tammy Clark-Barrett

Technical - Cameron Pike