Review: HORROR at Auckland's Civic Theatre

Thursday, 23 March 2017

Horror is at the Civic theatre in Auckland.

Is there anything as marvellously uncomfortable as being scared out of your wits?

Full disclosure: I am not a horror fan, but I am a new fan of HORROR.

Horror is a full on, blood and guts theatre experience with no time for a break.

The difference is simple.

Sitting through a made-for-television horror film is a walk in the park when you get to cover your eyes and ears and fast forward through the bits that give you the willies (yes, I do this).

* Auckland Arts Festival 2017: Five events to look forward to

* Auckland Arts Festival 2017 programme**

With HORROR it is simply impossible to look away from the impending doom of the characters on the stage and frankly, you don't want to.

Walking into Auckland's Civic Theatre we're repeatedly reminded that this is an 80 minute show without an intermission.

My attention span is short and I briefly wonder how I will do for more than an hour in the same spot but as it happens I am both riveted by what unfolds in front of me, and horrified.

If you can manage it, front row seats are worth the splurge in this scenario.

HORROR is a full-on experience, akin to being strapped into your seat while a rollercoaster careens you around.

The sound of the slashing violins is so loud the seats in the theatre vibrated; the fake blood so thick and wet I wondered about the people in the front row, and the stage technology so effective I scrutinised how the cast pulled off the carnage and gore without losing a cast member.

HORROR is a mix of your classic haunted house film, its soundtrack akin to the Netflix favourite Stranger Things, its brief, welcome, moments of humour a bit like your favourite '80s movie.

Without giving too much away, the premise is simple: A woman returns to her haunted family home, to confront head on a tragedy and a vengeful spirit.

It's directed by Swedish-born theatre maker Jakop Ahlbom who has become known for his high impact theatre remarkably delivered without a single scrap of dialogue.

Its cast is an impressive line up of mime school graduates including Luc Van Esch, Yannick Greweldinger, Silke Hundertmark and Sofieke De Kater.

Put simply, HORROR is not for the faint hearted, but it's worth it to come through the end and think: I'm alive.

HORROR plays at Auckland's Civic Theatre, as part of the Auckland Arts Festival. March 21-March 26. Buy tickets here.