Patrick Kavanagh Public House, Moseley

NEW theatre company, Don’t Go Into the Cellar specialise in Period theatre. This show, a sister to “Gothicana”, has a bawdy theme, as the show title suggests, but is still presented in a Victorian context. Part Gothic Macabre, and part comic Variety show, the space offered by the first floor performance room in the Patrick Kavanagh was ideal to showcase their talents. 

Madame Morganne, played as a psychic cross between Mystic Meg and Marti Caine, wonderfully realised by Rachel Green, acts as de facto MC for the evening, cajoling the audience and amazing everyone with her (lack of) Spirit World prowess. Jonathan Goodwin provides the star quality with two very strong interactive monologues, first as Van Helsing, then as Lord Byron. As Van Helsing we are treated to a tranche of Vampire gags, as an inebriated Lord Byron, Goodwin very skillfully plays the crowd in an impressive ad lib section in which he creates rhymes and rhapsodies around the names of female members of the audience. 

ZEST AND VITALITY

A surprise highlight of the evening was “Lizzie”, played by Kaz Luckins, who sang two great songs in “was I standing at the Church” and “Ann Boleyn with her head tucked under her arm in the midnight hour”, injecting much zest and vitality into the show in a one woman ball of energy. In a contrast of styles, Matt Pritchard enthralled with a straight magic act. 

Gary Archer, as William McGonagal, performed two humorous poems, “The Alleged Assassination of the Queen”, and “Glasgow” , around a substantial and entertaining character piece, ”Aiden the Nutter” performed ”The Freaks Tale” in a powerful tale of the macabre. 

The show was funny and substantial, running to just over two hours with a half time interval. Well costumed, a few members of the audience arrived in Gothic garb themselves, a trend I suspect may grow in the future. Licensed premises suit this show with Lizzie Luckins returning for a sing along finale which was lustily entered into by the entire audience. It’s combination of monologue, theatre, magic, music hall song, poetry and Tarot Card reading is unique and very effective. Crucially, each show is different with a rolling roster of performers, Louise Stokes and Jade Cole played supporting roles tonight. An off-beat treat. 

“Ghouls Aloud” returns to the Patrick Kavanagh on Thursday 28th April at 8pm, “Gothica” returns to the Shakespeare Memorial Room Birmingham Central Library, Tuesday 26th April at 7.30pm. 31-03-11

Gary Longden