Tag Archives: Claire Louise Amias

“Haunted Shadows” at the Old Red Lion Theatre

Good old-fashioned story telling is the key to the success of this entertaining one-woman show. Two spooky stories, one ghostly, the other ghastly, make an excellent contribution to the Islington venue’s Grimfest season, running throughout the month and perfect for getting theatregoers ready for Halloween.

Having tackled Restoration playwright Aphra Behn in a previous show, Claire Louise Amias takes on the role of author Edith Nesbit. Famous for her children’s books, Nesbit also wrote gothic stories, and Amias tells us two: The Shadow and A Strange Experience.

Taking the roles of a housekeeper and a governess, Amias’ narration is superb. Director Jonathan Rigby paces both pieces expertly and, although we hear about a lot of scary passages in the houses all the action occurs in, movement is carefully controlled. Amias flips from convivial, polite tones to terrified suspense in an instant. It’s delicious fun to be settled comfortably and know you are going to be appalled in the next moment.  

The stories themselves are strong. The Shadow is a more conventional ghost story, although pretending the tale is not “rounded off” is an interesting move (does our nice narrator have a nasty secret)? A Strange Experience is even more of a murder mystery – a great take on gory – that looks at the “ghoulish nature of the living”. Debate your favourite but rest assured that both are memorable.

It’s credit to Amias’ skill that props are so minimal. I’d even suggest the few simple sound effects are unnecessary. As a suggestion that the audience close their eyes shows, performer and director appreciate the power of the imagination and know how to harness it. They take their cue from the Nesbit herself. Moments when the author is brought to the stage might be expanded, but they frame the stories well, and mention of her childhood fears provides another layer to consider, adding further substance to this small but perfectly formed evening.

Until 31 October 2024

www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk

“The Masks of Aphra Behn” at the White Bear Theatre

Claire Louise Amias’ one-woman show about Restoration writer Aphra Behn is a careful mix of period drama and biography. The trick with plays that look at playwrights is to decide how to balance education with entertainment – and Amias tackles her task with determination.

There is a lot of history… but it’s all about Behn. The show is easy on the broader context, so it doesn’t really matter how much you already know. And filling in details is done with humour – a reference to “my friend Nell Gwyn” made me laugh. And apart from writing plays and poetry, Behn had a fascinating life as a spy, which Amiens speculates on brilliantly.

From her early youth and then as a wit in Charles II’s court, Behn takes us on her adventures in Suriname, Antwerp and Venice. It’s all exciting stuff with considerable peril involved – quite simply, a great story. Imagining how a larger cast could work is not a distraction, as Amias takes on extra roles very well, vividly depicting the rogues and plotters Behn meets along the way.

The plot is so strong that it might be said to be a little overpowering. There isn’t much room for how Behn’s life and work interact – apart from her need for money. This is a pressing concern expressed in detail and used for dramatic purposes, but it is hardly a revelation. The masks in the title only play a part at the end, leading to a rushed conclusion. The idea could have added more weight to the show.

Still, Amias gets to show off her acting skills superbly and does justice to a fascinating figure. And she interacts well with her audience: we are the “witty few” at the theatre to see a production of her play The Rover. But, due to the ‘indisposition’ of an actor, we are offered Behn’s story instead – ”for one night only”, of course. She’ll do anything but offer a refund! The atmosphere is intimate, relaxed, and fun, despite Behn’s trials.

Direction from Pradeep Jey helps. The play is understandably static, but there’s plenty of energy and the time flies by. Behn loves scandal and Amias’ eyes light up at gossip. Any danger is balanced with a dry edge (especially when it comes to her mother), which leads to plenty of laughs. It’s all out for entertainment. As such, the show is a success – and deserves the kind of big box office that would have delighted its subject.

Until 13 January 2023 at The White Bear, then visiting The Space, Docklands (17 & 18 February) and The Brook Theatre, Chatham (22 February)

www.amonkeywithcymbols.co.uk

Photo by Greg Goodale