The Lady of the House of Love

This is top-drawer art house entertainment.

Its target audience is fans of Vampire-Fantasy, and there were many in the intimate 90-seat theatre – perfect venue for a show like this, no artificial sound system needed.

Sandro Colarelli gives a virtuoso performance, playing the narrator; ‘the Lady’ of the title (a pre-World War I Countess); and her governess who cares for her as well as inveigling men to ‘the Lady’s’ decaying castle for her pleasure.

In a seductive androgynous costume, Colarelli, tight corseted, with lots of buttons, lace, and high boots, works in a pool of light with just a chair and a slender fret-worked panel (designers: Josh McIntosh – set, and Andrew Meadows – lighting) to draw us inexorably into this freaky world of unreality and superstition.

But his is just half the show! Musician John Rogers performs Diefenbach’s score for piano and violin with a passion and precision that matches Colarelli’s, providing the mood at times, accompaniment to the songs at others. This is truly a two-man show. They deserved the generous applause as they took a bow together as well as individual bows.

Special mention must be made also of choreographer, Neridah Waters, who guided Colarelli’s movement and body skills to create scenes and moods, as well as moments of horror or tenderness. Colarelli’s voice is a gift,

embracing baritone to falsetto (counter tenor) with ease and clarity of articulation.

Jay McKee

Image: Sandro Colarelli. Photographer: Nat Lynn