The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House was originally a 1959 gothic horror novel which was subsequently made into two films, a play and, in more recent years, a Netflix series. It is very much in the old horror film style in which we see nothing, but the supernatural is implied by sound, lighting effects and the reactions of the actors. It was this aspect that was so skilfully done in this production. Lighting and sound effects were excellent with blue flickering lights, echoing banging and eerie sounds. The set was also very effective, with dark red walls covered in pictures and an upper balcony for the scene in which Eleanor decides to climb the iron stairway and has to be rescued by Luke.

Eleanor gave an excellent performance, building her character slowly to create a disturbing atmosphere. Her gradual decline in mental health as she experiences the supernatural events at the house was very well maintained although how exactly she died wasn’t entirely obvious from the sound effects which were drowned out by screams. But perhaps that was the intention.

Theodora was a very natural actress. She worked well with Eleanor and gave a confident performance. Likewise, Dr Montague delivered his lines clearly and with authority and kept up a good pace. Luke, the young man who stands to inherit Hill House after his aunt dies, was suitably cavalier about the strange events at the house. 

Mr and Mrs Dudley used their short scenes to great effect. Mrs Dudley, the housekeeper, delivered her lines as an ominous warning to the guests and her husband, who said nothing, did so brilliantly. What a gift of a part!

Joining the cast later in the story were Dr Montague’s wife, who gave a flamboyant performance as a more traditional spiritualist and Arthur, the headmaster of a boy’s school and Mrs Montague’s assistant for her seances. Both had good characterisation and made the most of their scenes.

There were very long gaps between scenes for only minimal changes to the set, which would have benefitted from being a little faster but, overall, this was a very good production full of drama and atmosphere.

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