Review: The Monkey's Paw at The Hope Theatre

Neil Keenan
1 day ago
2 min read

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

With spooky season upon us once again, what better way to spend an evening than with Infinite Space Theatre's adaptation of W. W. Jacobs' chilling Edwardian tale, The Monkey's Paw?

Settling into the cosy confines of The Hope Theatre on Islington's Upper Street, cleansing pint of Hazy Day IPA in hand, Hannah Williams' eerily lit cottage interior sets the scene for tonight's classic horror story.

A man seated and a woman standing next to him. Both dressed in Victorian era clothing — John and Jenny White, played by Stephen Maddocks and Josephine Rogers. Photo credit: Cam Harle

The play begins with a bang. An unsettling glimpse of things to come as a desperate husband beseeches his wife not to heed the ominous thumping on the door. The scene freezes, and a beautiful montage of happier times introduces us to newlyweds John and Jenny White, endearingly brought to life by Stephen Maddocks and Josephine Rogers. (Oh, that that were all that was brought to life this night!) They are very much in love, but struggling to make ends meet, to pay the bills, and to have the baby she feels would complete their family. As desperate times threaten to overwhelm them, an ancient artifact comes into John's possession. But will it make their dreams come true, or turn them into nightmares?

Atmospheric sound and lighting design (by Peter Michaels and Alex Foley respectively) combine with clever use of simple props to expertly transport us from cottage to battlefield to Egyptian tomb and back again as this spine tingler unfolds, until we find ourselves once again hearing the dreadful thudding of something at the door.

Puppet baby in a high chair with a woman looking at it lovingly. Man standing in the background — What have they conjured up? Photo credit: Cam Harle

Some might dismiss John and Jenny White as a poor couple who make some poor choices. But could any of us truly say that, under similar circumstances, we might not make similar choices? Later, as I shiver in the chill night air of Essex Road awaiting a phantom 341 bus, like John White, I too might have wished myself instantly home, had I the means. Instead, I ponder the intriguing ambiguities and unanswered questions within tonight's play that allowed it to burrow beneath my skin. Days later, I find myself still thinking about it.

PHOTOS

Cam Harle

THE MONKEY'S PAW

Adapted from W. W. Jacobs

Devised, written & produced by

Infinite Space Theatre

CAST

Steven Maddocks as John White

Josephine Rogers as Jenny White

CREATIVE TEAM

Director - Leah Townley

Stage Manager - Joe Judd