“Theatre is much more than 3 walls”

They were the opening lines of Director Luke Mullins notes, as The City Players attempted to push the boundaries of what theatre can do, in their latest play ‘The Revival.’

A ghost story written by award winning actor and playwright James Cawood, this spine chilling mystery sees a director revive an old play in the very theatre where the writer committed suicide.

Beginning with an open curtain where the seating audience are invited to see the actors lounging on the set, this play makes a marked difference at The Corner Playhouse.

We’re sucked into the performance from the get-go and the 3rd wall was instantly broken, hinting at what was about to come in this two act story..

The actors are gathered for the final rehearsal before opening night of the play, Scared To Death. They argue about some who can’t remember their lines, the director becomes more agitated, and the strange occurrences begin to take hold.

Before long, the cast find themselves caught up in a terrifyingly real ghost story, that at times spills off the theatre stage, and into the audience!

This was a real pleasure for me. The breaking of the 3rd wall, the open curtains, the play entering the crowd, and the story of a supernatural curse. From taking my seat, I knew it was my kind of production.

This new, and innovative style, brought new light to The Players who have gone through some recent changes behind the scenes.

Rehearsals must have been thorough, as the cast really held everything together, and what could have been instantly confusing, was turned into a coherent narrative.

“This new, and innovative style, brought new light to The Players”

The set, as always, was impeccably built, the sound and lighting was noticeably appropriate for the mood of the play, and it felt from being sat in the audience, that the director had liberated the actors to breath into the production.

Much, much more of the same please!

Telephone: 01246 430507

Email: info@cityplayers.co.uk

www.cityplayers.co.uk

The Corner Playhouse,

Eckington S21 4DH