REVIEW: A SEANCE SPECTACTULAR…
Two Victorian spiritualist sisters, Annie and Lizzy Wolf, invite us to witness a seance but what happens when someone tries to expose their act as a sham just as the spirits make their first move? Comedians Carly Anna Billings and Cecilia O'Grady give an engaging performance in this part comedy, part scare, A Seance Spectacular with the Mystical Medium Wolf Sisters from the Great White North.
The Seance Spectacular… production comes from the Ghosts Are Everywhere independent podcast which amassed an impressive 160 episodes and ghostly, live performances across multiple artistic mediums, including theatre.
Annie (Billings) and Lizzy (O’Grady) Wolf attempt to communicate with those beyond the veil using various occult relics such as talking boards, dowsing rods and the minds of the audience. After their introductions, the sisters receive some unexpected news that threatens their seance sisterhood, causing tension between the two. There are many well-timed comedic moments and a strongly written script that is handled with focus and finesse by director Katherine Teed-Arthur (from 500 Doubloons at last year’s Hamilton Fringe Festival).
Both Billings and O’Grady are committed to their roles, nearly convincing the audience that what is happening on stage might not be smoke and mirrors. Billings is particularly strong as Annie and shines on stage, showing a natural ease when engaging with the audience. O’Grady’s Lizzy is equally energetic but more skeptical, demonstrating the yearning of wanting to have a life beyond dabbling in the supernatural.
As a horror theatre enthusiast, I was slightly disappointed that there weren’t as many scares as there could have been. The unnerving aspects of the show are delivered strongly throughout, especially with the lighting effects adding to the atmosphere. It would be interesting to see this with even more horror elements implemented. An idea for a future production perhaps?
A Seance Spectacular with the Mystical Medium Wolf Sisters from the Great White North is a solid addition to the Hamilton Fringe Festival this year. It is a polished production and blends horror elements and comedic moments effectively. If you enjoy sisterhood, clever dialogue, puns, random spoofing on The Pirates of Penzance and a lingering otherworldly presence, then don’t miss this one!
Hamilton Fringe photography by: Kasey Bridges Photography
