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20 March 2024
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4****
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Cornwall-based, Miracle Theatre, have a long-standing reputation for inventive theatrical productions, often performed outdoors, so it is good to see them on tour to over 25 venues throughout the South West. Their current offering is a multi-charactered production but with only three actors in the cast. Now, I have seen a couple of other comedy shows built on the premise of performers playing a number of characters and, in my opinion, have not found my funny bone – I am somewhat relieved to say that Hell’s Bells did.
Presented by a fictional theatre company in 1924, the three performers navigate their way through a plot described as ‘a hallucinogenic whodunnit’ – as a young woman and her father work to uncover the mysterious disappearance and demise of two lighthouse keepers – to try and explain more of the wonderfully contrived and complex plot would be to do the performers a disservice, you need to go and see the show for yourself. Suffice to say that the plot has many twists and turns until the audience is presented with sections of the show in cinematic form – with sound!!! Remember this is 1924! (The Jazz Singer didn’t come out until 1927 – Amazing!)
The very nature of touring a show, when most of the stops are one-nighters, means sets are stripped back to the basics, but though initially fairly spartan, the snug inside of the lighthouse is well done and the creative use of the many props is also very effective. As the cast navigate their various characters they change costumes on and off stage; creating even more amusement as they fight to achieve a transformation within the time available.
Throughout, the ludicrous plot is augmented with music and sound effects courtesy of a wind-up gramophone “worked” by the performers and plenty of atmospheric lighting helps build the tension as the play progresses. As the plot reaches its climax, the audience get to witness the denouement via film – which is so very well done. Technically the show is extremely fun and effective.
The script is witty, ludicrous and smart, offering plenty of opportunity for both verbal and visual comedy and delivered often with tongue firmly in cheek. With just three performers there cannot be a weak link and nor is there one. Anna Munden creates the intrepid, pseudo-detective with a sort of ‘jolly hockeysticks’ vibe which she does so with gusto. Ben Dyson is equally effective in his characters from the rather dim Grubb to the lovestruck lighthouse-keeper Davey. Ben Kernow plays the most roles and is able to display his wonderful versatility and armoury of voices. The pick of his characters being the barmaid, Hattie – a gem of a comic of a performance who is ‘created’ on stage; just wonderful.
The fictional theatre company presenting the production is not overly obvious after the start of the show and may be superfluous. As mentioned, the plot is so convoluted, that I am not sure I followed every twist and turn and felt that it gradually ran out of steam and laughs during the second half, before the cinematic conclusion.
A fun, bonkers show which will raise smiles and laughter and doesn’t take itself too seriously. So, whodunnit? You will have to watch to find out! Hallucinogenic? Likewise!
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Cast
Joan – Anna Munden
John – Ben Dyson
Jeremy – Ben Kernow
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Creatives
Writer & Director – Bill Scott
Play Devised by the Company
Stage Manager/Sound Design – Eliot Anson
Choreographer – Hannah Stephens
Production Manager – Louis King
Film Production – John Crooks
Set Design – Alan Munden
Costume Design – Jude Munden
