Tumulus ☆☆☆☆
Soho Theatre, London
There is a long and growing list of plays that take the Chemsex experience as their concept and Queerguru has reviewed quite a few of them including Bingo, Chemsex Monologues and Undetectable.
Tumulus is different, not only because it is produced by the Outside Edge Theatre Company (the UK’s only theatre company focused on substance misuse and addiction) but also it places a dark thriller genre front and centre of the piece.
Chemsex is there, hanging over the show like the sword of Damocles, but the dynamic is all about the undead bitterly crying out for justice from the other side (no! – it’s not last orders in the backroom – there’s an actual ghost).
We learn that Anthony (played by Ciarán Owens) is having visitations from an old flame called George. Whereas we can all empathise with the situation of having an annoying ex-shag who just will not die, this is rather more awkward as George insists he has been murdered. Thus starts Anthony’s quest to right the wrong and bring justice to the evil-doer.
We are introduced to a host of characters superbly played by Harry Lister Smith and Ian Hallard sometimes comedic, such as the Nosey Neighbour in a headscarf or Spreadsheet Joe the drug dealer and sometimes grotesque (the two Jacks in the dinner party scene are worthy of the League of Gentlemen).
There are some really inventive moments using smoke, shadow or sound to create spooky moments. The scene changes were stand out brilliant with each one melting into the action or producing a new functional aspect, whether from the hand of Director Matt Steinberg or Movement Director Natasha Harrison, each transition was a pleasure to watch.
Voices were electronically treated – creating a disjointed, otherworldly effect, if a bit overdone. When the Ghost tells Anthony about a necklace that was supposed to ward against evil spirits but has now been taken by the killer the ghost becomes a bit like an electro-Gollum looking for his preciousssssss.
Tumulus refers to a particular mound on Hampstead Heath known for cruising and there are echoes of the Stephen Port murders where young men were murdered using GHB and the police failed to make the connections, giving the play poignant depth.
Tumulus never gave Queerguru the full on chills but it was a funny and fresh take on an increasingly familiar subject.
TUMULUS
BY CHRISTOPHER ADAMS
Tue 16 Apr – Sat 4 May 2019
https://sohotheatre.com/shows/tumulus/
REVIEW: JONNY WARD Jonny Ward, Queerguru Contributing Editor is a drama graduate but has worked backstage for many years at venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, The 02, Southbank Centre and is currently at The National Theatre. He lives in Hoxton, London and is delighted to check out the latest, the hottest and the downright dodgy in queer culture for Queerguru. (P.S. He is currently single)
Labels: 2019, Johny Ward, London Theatre, review
