Paranormal Activity - A New Story Live on Stage

Ambassadors Theatre

2 hours of special effects and jump scares. The tension is grand. Divine design elements, but the story lacks magnetism. The audience is thirsty for more depth!

London has been anticipating this new show for quite some time. Whilst Christmas feels an odd time to introduce us to the charm of 'Paranormal Activity', there is a Christmas tree placed in the home created on stage, and a missed opportunity for a Christmas Carol pun. Additionally, there was no clear indication that it was the festive period in the show. This review has been written without any knowledge of the Paranormal Activity films. Horror films are not this theatre girl's vibe. But we are all about trying new shows and styles of theatre.

An American couple move into a gorgeous home in London. It all seems too perfect and too good to be true. Indeed, it is not all as good as it looks! Their new home is the host to beings from beyond the veil, or is it? The audience takes a deep dive into the couple and watches as these paranormal goings on test the stability of the relationship. In true horror style, there are jump scares, twists and turns. Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this review. The set is impressive, and the creative team have gone to town with the special effects. It is a haunted house on stage. The story tries to bring the audience in as much as they can and gets them to feel the fear that the characters experience. However, as all of the scary moments happen on stage, it's difficult to feel on the edge of your seat with fear. There is a wall between the stage and the audience. This also comes from the story and characters. You don't feel a true connection with the characters; they aren't the most likeable, and you never truly feel like you know them. As an audience member, you just feel like a fly on the wall, watching the characters meet their fates from the comfort of your safe seat.

Patrick Heusinger and Melissa James play the young married couple, Lou and James. They clearly show the push and pull of their fragmented relationship. The actors clearly show the couple's attraction to each other; the chemistry is on fire. An admirable element of their acting is the comfort they have on stage; it does feel like you're looking in on someone living their life. Almost similar to the concept of the film, where you watch camera footage, the audience is essentially the camera. The other characters that join them on stage, whilst great acting, their presence taints the story. Without other characters coming in, you would see how lonely the pair feels and trapped in their problem, with no escape. Also, without bringing in other characters, you would also have more time to connect with the pair and understand them a bit more. At times when they are talking on the phone or speaking with other characters, it feels like the audience is being spoonfed the story. It's interesting watching the couple live in their home and communicating with each other. James' mum, Carolanne, is played by Pippa Winslow, and she joins them virtually on FaceTime on a screen in the kitchen. This feels like a showcase of their technical aspects and again feels like the audience is being spoonfed context. It's clear this is supposed to show how James is attached to his mum, and leans on her, but his talking on the phone to her and talking to Lou about what his mum says is enough to get this point across. It's just over-highlighting a point that is already very clear.

There are a handful of people who deserve an abundance of appreciation for their teamwork and creativity in this show. A few of these people are: Fly Davis, who designed the incredible set, Anna Watson, who designed lighting, Chris Fisher on illusions and Gareth Fry, who crafted the sound. Basically, the creative team gives this show its horror charm and brings the paranormal to life. AGAIN. There will be no spoilers, but just know the creative team have made this show realistic and creepy. Whilst the story doesn't grab you, the visuals on stage have you fixed to the stage, awaiting the next trick! What amazing and creative visuals! It really brings the experience to life and appears realistic.

This has the facilities to be a fabulous show; at the moment, it's just an impressive show of visuals. London craves more from this show. It's difficult to be affected by the story because it doesn't feel like the plot is going in a clear direction, so whatever happens, the audience doesn't feel the feelings they should. However, is it because this review is coming from someone who isn't well-versed in horrors or this film? The story just feels like it could be better and less obvious. The actors have a lot of potential to grasp the audience with their characterisation skills, their chemistry and comfort on stage shows; they are highly skilled. This show has potential, and horror lovers could be blown away by this if the story gave us a bit more! I do recommend this show if you like a scare and spooky vibes. Christmas time, perhaps, was not the right time for this show! But, the creative team have created some amazing, realistic illusions to make this as creepy as they can! Horror lovers, I recommend.