Theatre / Reviews
Review: Haunt, Pray, Love, Tobacco Factory Theatres – ‘Full of gentle humour but sadly lacks a punch’
Halloween is as good a night as any to see a spooky show. In fact, it is almost compulsory.
Eat The Wolf theatre is a new Bristol based company devoted to creating absurd and escapist theatre filled with live music and fun. Haunt, Pray, Love is their debut performance and had its first outing in the Alma Tavern Theatre, before its three night run at Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Three silly ‘ghosts’ dressed in sheets form a band in the corner of the stage while a bored-looking office worker sits at his desk while Gary (James Nicolas Joseph Locke) attempts, and fails, to move objects around. A screech of car tyres and a crash introduces Claire (Emily France). It is evident that she is joining Gary among the dead, although it takes some persuading before she can be convinced.
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They have different views on life, with Gary not missing his, while Claire yearns to be back amongst those she knew and loved.
What follows for the next 75 minutes is an, at times very slow, exploration about the meaning of life and the value of existence, especially from the perspective of viewing what is lost. When the two decide to test their powers of mischief, they take it out on Martin, the office worker (Joe Topping). The ghosts harass him in their attempt to make sense, and have some fun, during their otherwise boring existence.
The show is characterised by very mild humour and although there are a few amusing touches, the laughter is merely polite and the pauses overlong and as silent as the grave.
In rehearsal for Haunt, Pray, Love – photo: Eat The Wolf Theatre
The message that life is precious is not exactly original and the setting does generate some comic moments, but there are too often reminders that the audience could be living it elsewhere.
Original music from the live band along with humorous lyrics is co-composed by Chloe May Thurlow and Jack Orozco-Morrison and was marred by singing voices not at their perfect best.
Acting is adequate throughout and performances committed, but like both Gary and Claire’s hearts, it misses a beat.
The piece is worthy and has its origins in Thurlow’s own experience in recovering from a serious illness and brush with death. Its themes are closely tied to the human condition, but sadly they are handled with all the maturity of a school production.
An exception is a projected animation by Umbra Penumbra demonstrating what effect Gary and Claire’s antics are having on poor Mark. This gives a welcome change of pace and direction and leads to a more tender finale when Gary finally comes to terms with the opportunity offered of living life again.
Haunt, Pray Love is full of gentle humour but don’t expect belly laughs or enlightenment.
Haunt, Pray, Love is at Tobacco Factory Theatres on October 31-November 2 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.
All photos: Eat The Wolf Theatre
Read next:
- Review: Gurt Haunted, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘Clever, silly and immensely enjoyable throughout: A Bristol show through and through’
- Writer Kelly Jones explores the cost of dying in My Mother’s Funeral: The Show
- ‘Watch Me Die’: The Bristolian Director’s twisted interactive one woman comedy set at a funeral
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