Professor Phillip Goodman (Steve Rodgers) recounts stories of the supernatural as told to him by night watchman Tony Matthews (Jay Laga’aia), unlicensed driver Simon Rifkind (Darcy Brown) and Mike Priddle (Nick Simpson-Deeks), a self opinionated businessman. These are character roles in which the actors delight in Nyman and Dyson’s Ghost Stories.
Credit should go to James Farncombe’s lighting design as there is no better way to accentuate the trepidation of the moment than to have a single torch in the darkness suddenly expose the potential of something frightening.
We transition from Goodman’s lecture to the requisite scenes via the lighting changes and a revolve. Jon Bauser’s set moves us through a variety of rooms and settings.
The scenarios created don’t necessarily build sequentially but simply recount the inexplicable and it isn’t until the culmination of the play when the tables are turned on the professor that we realize the connection between them all.
One is left wondering until then where things are leading. Each scene provides a shock more akin to the unexpected tap on the shoulder when it is least expected rather than a spine chilling encounter with a malevolent poltergeist. The theatricality behind each scene ending shock is identifiable.
There is a genuine balance of comedy and surprise which makes for a diverting evening, but more needs to be made of the professor’s unusual behavior that links him to his final fate. That would add dimension to the work.
For all the professor’s explanations and posturing on why others believe in ghosts, his is the conscience that is the most troubled.
The team of directors, Jeremy Dyson, Sean Holmes, Andy Nyman and associate director, Richard Carroll, have a challenge before them as the play relies on the shock of the unexpected more than on the interaction of character or story line.
Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St., Melbourne
Until November 5
Bookings: Ticketmaster
Review by David McLean