Mansion

I somehow missed Matador and couldn’t get in to see Oracle, so I was keen to see Bass Fam’s latest production of Mansion, billed as a “spine tingling, gothic fusion of dance, circus & burlesque”.

Mel Walker and her children Levi and Rachel are attempting to rebuild their lives after a terrible tragedy resulting in the death of her husband. Lost in their grief, the family members move into a deserted mansion, completely unaware of the terrors hiding there. As time passes, each falls victim to the dark spirits of those destined to remain in the home and finds themselves locked in a life or death battle for their sanity and their lives.

Mansion is immersive theatre for those sitting in seats that are right at stage level. While I will not reveal why they are immersive, I will say that I was sitting in the front row proper and had just as good a time. However, for those who like to ‘be in the thick of it’, the immersive seats are worth it, but be ready!

The production begins with a decrepit, old caretaker ensuring everyone is seated. After some cautionary warnings we are thrown headlong into an eerie world of horror, madness, and the underworld.

A soundtrack combining spoken voice with songs perfectly forms a base for the often-frenetic dance routines and aerial acts interspersed with quiet reflective moments. The actors playing the lost spirits are costumed in creations of lace and satins that have been distressed to add to the feeling of faded glory. The image of Bette Davis in her Baby Jane dress in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? kept popping into my mind.

A special mention must be made of the masks. They are genuinely creepy, particularly on one of the dancers who walks on her feet and hands in a unbelievable back bend. Her face, upside down crawling like a crab, is reminiscent of some scenes of The Exorcist.

The aerial acts (aerial silks, rope, a frame and a chandelier) are skilfully performed, particularly considering the lack of light for the artists.

Highlights are the Father/Son pas de deux, the bathtub sequence featuring very wet dancers and the sinister levitation scene. They are superbly choreographed.

At the end of the journey into delusion the family are ordered out of the venue by the spirits who had not found peace. We are compelled to follow.

A word of warning. If you are sitting in the front row keep your feet tucked in or you may have them stepped on.

Mansion is at times disturbing, haunting, strangely beautiful and an experience that just may haunt your dreams or nightmares!

Barry Hill OAM