Poe: Dreams of Madness

Teens at Garrick, a group within Garrick Theatre Club, are currently presenting the “eccentric mystery” Poe: Dreams of Madness. Set in Poe’s study and in his mind, the play touches on many of Poe’s better-known works.

A passion project for director Paris Romano Jenner, the young director is mentored by Gail Lusted, who also acts as co-director. A very challenging piece for a relatively inexperienced director, at times it felt beyond the scope of the young, and largely inexperienced cast - although given how much young people tend to relish performing horror, no doubt this was a fun and fulfilling experience.

In our first scene we meet Edgar Allen Poe, nicely portrayed by Annie Dahn in a promising theatrical debut. We also meet The Raven, played by well-known and experienced mature actress Virginia Moore-Price, who applies herself with gusto. I am not sure why though the production chose to cast outside the teen age group.

The show guides us through many of Poe’s works including The Tell-tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death, The Fall of the House of Usher, Hop-Frog, The Black Cat and of course The Raven, almost as vignette performances, although the stories are not always clear.

Lots of exciting stage debuts in addition to Annie, with Juliette Bona, Kaiden Green, Grey Masters, James Scully and Kylie Thomas making community theatre debuts, and Connor Barclay and Freda McColgan appearing in their first play. I hope we will see them all on stage again soon. All of the young cast put in lots of effort and were focused throughout.

Zane Riverfish did a great job creating eerie and atmospheric lights, but more light on faces would have been nice.

One of the best decorated auditoriums, front of house and front of theatre combinations I have seen in a very long time, but it was a shame that chatter from front of house volunteers was audible throughout the show.

Great to see young people passionate about their art and attracting a good-sized house.

Kimberley Shaw