The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House a play presented by St Ambrose Players at Halls for All, Moss Lane, Leyland on Thursday 22nd February, 2024

The Haunting of Hill House was originally a 1959 gothic horror novel penned by the American author Shirley Jackson which was subsequently made into two films, a play and, in more recent years, forms the basis of a Netflix series. Adapted for stage by F. Andrew Leslie, this is very much in the style of the old horror films in which we see nothing, but the supernatural is implied by sound, lighting effects and the reactions of the actors. The story tells of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House they include Dr. Montague, an occult scholar who is looking for solid evidence of a "haunting", Theodora, the light hearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena.  But Hill House is gathering its powers and soon it will choose one of them to make its own!

The Production Team … I think I would be right in suggesting that to stage this play must have been a challenge… a challenge accepted by Sarah White (Director), Jennie Barnes (Assistant Director), Graham Forrest (Stage Manager) and his amazing team of set designers, painters and builders… Kim Barker (Sound) and Stephen Porter (Lighting) all of whom must have worked and collaborated closely together to bring all these elements together as they did!  You could tell that Sarah and Jennie knew exactly what they wanted from the play and how to achieve it, but to bring that vision to stage, the actors, stage crew, sound and lighting had to ‘come on board’, which they obviously did… creating this wonderful piece of theatre, enjoyed by everyone present that evening! Well done one and all, all that effort certainly paid off!

The Cast… we had seven cast members … 3 male characters and four female characters all of whom contributed wholeheartedly to this play!  As most will know from my previous reviews, this is where I usually start selecting MY favourite(s), but I once again find myself struggling, because I felt the success of this play was down to an ‘ensemble effort’ rather than an ‘individual performance’, so to start suggesting someone was better than someone else would be wrong!  But, having said that I do feel it would be remiss of me not to make mention of all the cast members, starting with the one, who, if I was suggesting a ‘favourite’ may well have been a strong contender… that being Rachel Cooper and her portrayal of the ‘Eleanor Vance’ the isolated, fanciful and disturbed protagonist of this play, who had spent most of her adult life caring from her invalid mother. Eleanor leaps at an invitation from the mysterious Dr Montague to spend the Summer at Hill House. OMG what a character Rachel created… I did feel that Rachel was actually living this part! Loved the facial expressions, the looks, the concern etched on her face throughout’.  Great stage presence, great characterisation, worked really well with all cast members… be ever so proud Rachel.  Beth Wharton took on the role of ‘Theodora’ the young, beautiful bohemian who lives with a female roommate in an unnamed city… she is summoned to Hill House by Dr Montague because of her psychic sensitivity and extrasensory perception (ESP) (she can identify19 out of 20 playing cards when not in her sight). Confident, assured, Beth created another wonderful character that just oozed stage presence, and created this perfect foil for Eleanor … be very proud Beth, great job!  ‘Doctor Montague’ played by Robin Brown. Dr Montague is an anthropologist with a secret passion for the paranormal… the study of supernatural psychic phenomena. He invited the two ladies to Hill House in a hope that they could help him with his research away from prying eyes!  Robin did a great job and was a perfect fit for this role. Confident, assured, he was another that created a great character.  ‘Luke Sanderson’ played by Adam G Smith is a liar and a thief, who stands to inherit Hill House from his aunt, its current owner… Doctor Montague leases the house, but the lease stipulates that a member of the family must be present during the period of its tenure, hence Luke’s presence!  Eleanor and Theodora find themselves competing for his attention.  Adam did a great job with this role, another with great stage presence, great character created… be proud Adam, great job! 
Siobhan Edge played with great aplomb, ‘Mrs Dudley’, the Housekeeper and Cook at Hill House.  She and her husband have worked at Hill House for many years, Mr Dudley (never seen) is the caretaker… they both leave Hill House every day before nightfall… loved the characterisation, loved the voice, loved the facial expressions and the mannerisms… another great character created by Siobhan! The final two characters arrived at Hill House in Act 2… ‘Mrs Montague’ played with great authority by Carole Unitt!  Another OMG… when Mrs Montague is around no one sleeps!  She swept in like a hurricane with little regard for anything or anybody except her ‘planchette’ an automatic writing tool. Carole made this part her own, she stamped her authority on it and it worked… loud, bossy, stage presence aplenty, fabulous characterisation, great accent, great mannerisms… be ever so proud Carole… great job!  Finally, we had David White who took on the role of ‘Arthur Parker’, Mrs Montague’s driver and travelling companion on her journey to Hill House, a brash, indelicate man, who brandishes a gun… the polar opposite of Mr Montague.  David played this character with great aplomb… cool, never flustered, great character created, well done David, great job!

Staging/Tech… Graham Forrest (Stage Manager) and his team of incredible magicians… Paul Gregson, Martin Dempsey, Gordon Manley, Steven Barnes and Tony Stevens created another impressive set for this production.  Everything just worked and afforded the actors everything they wanted to do their thing… another great job, be ever so proud!  Kim Barker (Sound) and Stephen Porter (Lighting) should be complimented on the jobs that they did … loved the eerie sound effects, the chilling sinister laughter, the echoing, the banging of doors and the powerful threatening music which ran throughout this play, all supported by additional lighting effects that supported and enhanced this production so much … be ever so proud folks!

Wardrobe/Props… the costumes were first class and enhanced the production ever so much… provided and looked after by Sarah White, Jean Lee and the Cast.  Props, were excellent and used well… being looked after by Siobhan Edge and Karen Thompson-Butler.  

To sum this, play up… you take four strangers, a cynic, a neurotic, an eccentric and a socialite, throw them into a haunted house and just sit back and watch the results… nothing really beats watching others squirm from the confines of a theatre seat… bottom line, this was a play designed to scare people and it did exactly what it said on the tin… well done one and all … hope you sleep well tonight!

Thank you so much for the inviting my wife and I and for allowing me to meet and speak with cast and crew after the show which we thoroughly enjoyed… and already looking forward to Jekyll and Hyde in May… sleep tight, if you dare!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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