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The Haunting of Hill House

Review

It is difficult to see the point of a horror story that fails to frighten – or, failing that, to be funny. Yet no other verdict can apply to The Haunting Of Hill House as presented by the usually estimable HumDrum.

Well, perhaps that is slightly unfair. Sheila Elsdon, as a bossy ghost-hunter, delivers one line with shrewdly deadpan comedy.

'You've no idea,' she says, 'of the number of messages I've had from nuns walled up alive.'

No wonder her more science-minded husband, played by James George, despairs of her.

Mr George, seen too little on stage lately, has to be the main reason for seeing the production. I had almost forgotten what energy, quiet control, complexity and theatrical instinct he brings to a character.

He and Ms Elsdon are the two outstanding actors in a play set in a remote house with a reputation for evil so strong that even the caretaker won't live nearer than six miles away.

Come to think of it, that's another good joke in Lin Warner's portrayal of a character who defines the word 'dour'.

Oh yes, and the staging is effective too.

But we are surely too sophisticated these days to be stirred by heavy off-stage knocking and mocking laughter, and the point comes at which we hardly care anyway.

Mike Allen - The News