Reviewed by James Karas
Paranormal Activity is a ghost-cum-horror
story intended to scare you, make you laugh and entertain you. It is based on the
Paramount Pictures movies of the same name by Levi Holloway that I have not
seen. The play premiered in Leeds, England two years ago and is now playing at
the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, in Toronto.
A few (very few) words about the
plot because there is nothing worse than being told about the visits or is it
presence or invasion of paranormal visitors in one’s house.
James (Patrick Heusinger) and his
wife Lou (Melissa James) are happily married and live in a nice two-story
house. I am not sure if we know much about their marriage, but we learn that
they have moved from Chicago to London to escape some unpleasant experiences. Yes,
their house was haunted. We see a cross-section of their English house on the
stage. The main floor has a kitchen and living room, and a staircase leading to
the second floor. There is bathroom, and two bedrooms on the second floor, all
displayed clearly for the audience.
Then things begin to happen. There
is a crashing noise that makes one jump a few inches out of one’s seat. Now you
know that this house is haunted. You do not see anything yet but whatever it is,
it is causing some very loud bangs, lights flash and members of the audience
add to the excitement by screaming or expressing shock in different ways.
Everything
gets progressively worse or more pronounced, shall we say, both on stage and in
the audience. That is part of the fun.
Photo Credit: Johan Persson
James and Lou investigate or try to recollect if there is anything in their past to unleash the horror or find out whatever is haunting their house. The question is what do you do if you house is haunted? I don’t know but James and Lou install a bell in the house. To do what? They consult Alexa who is not much help. James’ mother Carolanne (Pippa Winslow) appears on a television screen to give useless advice. That is not all because in the meantime Lighting Designer Anna Watson’s tricky lights, Sound Designer Gareth Fry’s ghostly and supernatural sounds and Luke Halls’ videos keep us on the edge of our seats and the intense audience responses make it more thrilling.
Heusinger and James give nuanced performances
displaying a sense of humour and humanity. They are not the usual plastic
figures that one may associate with second-rate horror movies. One may say that
they are “realistic” and mean it as a compliment and I do.
The ending takes a sharp move away from
the horror movie genre and I found it quite interesting. Go and see the play if
you want to see how it ends.
Much of the horror that keeps us
enthralled is owed to the Set Designer Fly Davis and the Lighting, Sound and Videos
design mentioned above and to Chris Fisher for the illusions.
Director Felix Barrett gets a huge part
of the credit for this wonderful show by taking what at first blush may appear
as a run-of-the-mill horror story into a highly entertaining theatrical experience.
_______________________
Paranormal
Activity by Levi
Holloway continues until July 5, 2026, at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244
Victoria St. Toronto, Ontario. www.mirvish.com
James Karas is the Culture Editor of The Greek Press, Toronto
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