Theatre - Let The Right One In

Who/what/where: Let The Right One In, Apollo Theatre

This is the first time I've been to the Apollo Theatre in a little while, certainly since prior to the ceiling incident - which was still being spoken about by some of the audience. That said, it doesn't seem to have harmed attendance too much.

The first thing that hits you as you come in to see this show is that the set is stunning. There are trees set-up throughout (a couple are clearly designed to be climbed in later scenes but we'll gloss over that for a moment) and they've covered the backdrop with some additional three-dimensional trees to give a good sense of depth, with a lamp post in the background on the stage. The only other initial piece of set visible is the children's play area, however as the play progresses they manage to work in several other props too.

This story was originally a book, which was then made into a film of the same name, and then remade as "Let Me In" a couple of years ago. This version goes a little further up the chain - including a few things that didn't make it into the remake of the film for example. Equally there were elements which needed to be cut and/or changed to work on stage, and a couple of scenes I am am surprised stayed in as they were.

If you're not familiar with any of the existing versions, be warned, the play has some blood in it, and there's a bit of swearing too. The language was divisive in our audience, one person felt that Jonny getting called abusive names by his older brother was a little excessive, I personally felt it was necessary to the plot for a number of reasons - not the least to show that, no matter how horrible he is to Oskar, he receives worse at home.

The tale is fundamentally a love story between two children, one of whom happens to be a vampire, though it does explore some fairly dark themes along the way - bullying, alcoholism, and so on.

In the lead-up to the play starting we see people walking through the woods, before one of them is murdered, strung up and drained of blood. This won't be the first death, and if you're put off by this scene, perhaps the play isn't for you.

Oskar, played by Martin Quinn, is a troubled boy. The play has barely begun and we already see him bullied at school. However, later, while he is playing outside on his estate he meets Eli, played by Rebecca Benson. Benson does a fantastic job as Eli, while you might initially confuse her almost robotic attitude as Eli as a flaw, you would be mistaken - and as the play progresses she gets to show more of the breadth of her skills, but I am getting ahead of myself, for now, suffice it to say, it's a strong portrayal of someone who really doesn't know how to act around other people. And then, later on, when necessary, she manages to come across as scary, disconcerting, hurt, and all sorts of other impressions that capture the character wonderfully. She also spends a significant amount of the play running around barefoot.

Eli has moved into the apartment next to Oskar, and Hakan, her "father" (to the eyes of Oskar and his family) is the serial killer that has been at work in the area. In reality he has been protecting Eli and killing to get blood for her, though it's a warped relationship at best.

Hakan's mutilation by acid is kept in the play - and takes place on-stage leading into the interval. Later on, his death is also performed on-stage, but kept to a simple snapping of the neck rather than going out of the window.

Eli eventually confides in Oskar and reveals her true nature, and shows him what happens if she enters without invitation. Throughout the play she does come out of her shell, doing things she wouldn't normally do for him - even the simple-seeming act of trying a sweet for the first time is shown to be more difficult for her than you might initially expect as vampires are not known for the ability to consume solid food.

In the play's climax Oskar is attacked by bullies in the swimming pool - this was the scene I really didn't expect them to have kept in, but they manage to have a set-piece, fill it with water and dunk an actor as part of the scene, so all credit to them. While Oskar is being held underwater Eli attacks and slays the bullies - like several of the violent scenes in the play this takes place as a stylised almost dance-like fashion.

It's a well-done play, with fine performances throughout, but the thing that you really need to appreciate is the set.