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About a metre away from my desk the place I’m typing this evaluation are cabinets containing my different principal curiosity exterior of theatre-going; my ever-growing film assortment. When I hear ‘Japanese horror’ or ‘Japanese supernatural tales’ I consider films on these cabinets. I consider Ringu, I consider Audition, I consider Ugetsu, of House, of Kwaidan: I might go on and on right here. Some of those tales are new, wealthy additions to the horror tales from Japan; some are reworkings or homages to tales of outdated – to Japanese folklore. So as you may think, The Crick…
Rating
Excellent
Magical storytelling, with tales of horror from Japan and world wide.
About a metre away from my desk the place I’m typing this evaluation are cabinets containing my different principal curiosity exterior of theatre-going; my ever-growing film assortment. When I hear ‘Japanese horror’ or ‘Japanese supernatural tales’ I consider films on these cabinets. I consider Ringu, I consider Audition, I consider Ugetsu, of House, of Kwaidan: I might go on and on right here. Some of those tales are new, wealthy additions to the horror tales from Japan; some are reworkings or homages to tales of outdated – to Japanese folklore.
So as you may think, The Crick Crack Club had my instant curiosity once they kindly invited us alongside to evaluation Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai – The Game of Candles, a night of Japanese horror and folklore. In Edo interval Japan, this was a recreation the place a neighborhood would collect round 100 candles and as a narrative completed a candle can be extinguished, to permit area for the spirit to return and take a spot, till everybody was left within the darkness.
We are launched to our storytellers, Tim Ralphs and Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, who first inform us that sure, there are barely fewer than 100 candles: there are eight candles for the eight tales they’ll inform us. These tales can be from Japan, but additionally, as a tribute to this custom, they’ll take us on a bit tour, with tales from all world wide. We go to Japan clearly, however our locations additionally embody Scottish highlands, Finnish forests and a London college.
Both storytellers are glorious, holding the viewers with them always, enthralled. We can hear reactions by means of the viewers, gasps and different quiet (and sometimes much less quiet!) responses. There is a pure chemistry between our performers too, as they hearken to and react to one another’s tales and even touch upon them. There’s nice amusement as Wilkinson admits that in making ready for this she determined that scary tales frighten her and so slipped in a single good story, a lot to Ralph’s tongue in cheek disapproval.
Other than the eight candles there are not any props, there are not any gimmicks, no results, no bounce scares, and no gore – simply two folks on a dimly lit stage, with the lights lessening and lessening as every story finishes. There is nowhere to cover: every thing is in regards to the story and supply and there’s simply pure ease to each storytellers. They make it look straightforward; make it look easy.
The room will get steadily darker because the tales are instructed and the candles extinguished. Finally, we’re left with one story the place Ralphs and Wilkinson come collectively over a single candle to deliver us to a haunting finish. It’s a beautiful night and I’m glad to report that I’ve my subsequent go to with Crick Crack Club already booked.
The Game of Candles was a one off occasion. The Crick Crack Club will return to Kings Place with The Beast in Me on November 25. Further info and tickets might be discovered right here.
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