The Royal Exchange stands as a proud landmark in British theatre, as I walked from the bustling streets towards the end of a working in day in the city I was welcomed by the ghosts and shadows that glitter its past. I walked carefully over the inscribed floor tiles that proudly state patrons and actors past and present, respectful and hopeful tonight will be another of those nights that will add to its colourful past.
I know nothing about what I am about to see, just the leading actress Brenda Blethyn is the star. My thoughts strayed to her role in Mike Leigh’s Secrets and Lies where sat in that café she is forced to confront her past, a performance so mesmerising and heart felt it resulted in Ms Blethyn getting a BAFTA.
As the bell rings, like at school to signify break is over it is now time to focus and learn, I take my seat in what is the heart of this space, expectations high!
The audience grows quiet as the lights dim and the three actors enter the space……..
Haunted is a simple tale of an insatiable older gentleman Mr. Berry who becomes mesmerised by a younger lady who happens to visit his house in search of vintage clothes. He persuades her to come back again again under the faint pretense of getting elocution lesson, handing out more of his wife clothes who he tells her is dead. His wife is in fact dutifully working at the local doll making factory to support the both of them.
I leave the theatre with a faint air of ‘meh’, it’s so subtle you are left to grapple yourself with the themes unsure really if there was a theme. There is no denying the performances are excellent and there are many funny moments which will have you laugh out loud.
When sat in my car in the darkness of the car park it came over me it was all a dream or rather it was all a dream of Mr. Berry it was his past haunting him. Like all ghost stories there is always an element ambiguity something intangible slightly out of reach much like this tale.
by Jessica Dove
