Hanging Around
Step into the wicked mind of Agatha Soton, a woman from the 17th century hung for #witchcraft, who somehow finds herself riding shotgun in the body of her great-x10 granddaughter, Kate...😐😐 Don't be fooled by the seemingly clichéd "independent woman = wicked witch" premise. Directed by Katherine Timms, @stacey_evans_pics's "Hanging Around" is a nuanced one-woman #horrorcomedy that uses this narrative as a springboard to unveil a rather grim view of society...
Following a car accident, Kate's heart stops for two minutes— a big enough window for Agatha to jump from the beyond & cling to Kate's body😱 Agatha's bold intrusions boost Kate's work & social life, so when Kate realises she's facing a full-on possession, she decides to roll with it.🤸 But things go sideways when Agatha gets a little too comfy in Kate's skin, keen to embrace the opportunities of the modern world...
Stacey Evan's chameleonic physicality serves up a platter of multi-roling brilliance & a truly eerie portrayal of a possessed body👻 She deftly embodies smug-faced Agatha & faint-hearted Kate while they have an increasingly epic showdown for the same body...
As Agatha & Katy share their weaved narrations with the audience, the plot unravels at just the right pace to grasp their uncanny relationship going from bewilderment to complicity and ultimately to conflict. But it's not all as ghastly as it sounds, and the stark contrast between both characters —Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde style— infuses genius touches of comedy 😈....
The stagecraft? Light, sound & costume design are minimal but effective, truly enhancing the storytelling. Evan's makeup is deliciously cringy, with hanging marks on her neck, eyebags & a pale complexion. However, this is a bit puzzling when applied to Kate's character. The style is giving us "old-timey, dead villager"✅ But "scared millennial", not so much...
Ultimately, "Hanging Around" shows that while our modern society embraces what people from a society of yore frowned upon, we might not be too far from how those 17th-century folks treated anyone who didn't fit the status quo. It's a fun, creepy tale not to miss⚠️4/5⭐
#GrimFest #witchplease #horror #londontheatre
