What have I been waiting for?

    Some of my closer friends are likely to know that I'm a sucker for horror movies, and also very rarely turn down a night at the theatre. If I'd come to Let The Right One In knowing that the play was a horror of some sort then I would've been incredibly excited, but also somewhat nervous. Being a big fan of Carrie the musical, a great show was let down by it's inability to be scary. Which may not always be the intention, although with the Brian De Palma classic film, it's difficult for people not to expect a horror story.
     On the contrary, Let The Right One In was incredibly chilling, and also took advantage of something most horrors neglect, a sweet heart. Maybe that's why I opened up so much to it only to be shaken by it's true premise. The story of a lonely outcast called Oskar (Portrayed faultlessly by Martin Quinn) who struggles in a world with bullies on his track, a disinterested father. We know it's only a matter of time before he meets somebody who isn't normal, in comes Eli (Rebecca Benson). She is a young girl, or at least she seems to be, with a knack for solving rubix cubes and a distaste for foam bananas. Rebecca's portrayal was eerie throughout and also gripping. We saw her and Oskar slowly fall in love, drawing us even further into their story and leaving us more vulnerable. I admit to making good use of a cider during the interval to calm my sorry nerves. Another element that played with fate to its advantage was the physical theatre that made several appearances, most notably during the "pool scene" where Eli saves Oskar from being drowned by his tormentors. It's very easy for physical theatre mixed with horror to turn into something particularly corny. Where death scenes tend to be unrealistic when performed live, it seems cliche to use dance instead. However this was used appropriately, and as we saw earlier on in the play to our shock, and horror to some. The use of stage blood in this production was effective and spine chilling. Here is where Rebecca stole the show during her killing scenes, and in one particularly blood soaked scene after she reveals her true nature to Oskar.
      Having been waiting for contemporary horror and theatre to blend at some point, Let The Right One In hit me where most productions have never hit me before. The tension was effective, the stagecraft was also incredibly intriguing. My special compliments go to the director and the playwright, who have succeeded in bringing what I have been waiting for to life. I am very thankful to have received the privilege of seeing such a show, especially one that has inspired my directorial interest so much. Seeing this production truly was an eye opener, and has earned it a place in the top 10 shows I have ever seen.