REVIEW:
Holy Hell at the Old Fitz Theatre
Reviewed by: Bridget Whitford
Three Words: Funny. Clever. Unpredictable.
Similar To: Easy A meets Midsommar
Best Thing: Seeing horror/thriller explored onstage - something still surprisingly rare, and a genre I'd love to see theatres embrace more often.
Reason to Stay: The cast.
Watch If You Feel Like: Going on a trip!
Lighting: Cleverly utilised, particularly during the physical theatre sequences, where it heightened the tension and atmosphere beautifully.
Set/Costume: The design seamlessly transported us between locations, while the recurring religious architecture and church-inspired imagery created a strong visual throughline.
Acting: The ensemble has an easy chemistry, with a strong sense of comedic timing and a good understanding of when to let the humour land and when to rein it back. While they appear a touch older than the early university students they're playing, they quickly make you believe in the chaotic night these young adults find themselves caught up in.
Writing & Directing: It's always encouraging to see venues like the Old Fitz champion emerging writers and directors, giving them the opportunity to develop bold new work. Bianca Watkins and Dakotah Love deserve credit for creating a youth-focused piece that takes a genuine swing at the horror genre - something still uncommon on Australian stages. While the concept is ambitious, the script feels as though it could benefit from another round or two of development. The central exploration of religion's influence within a university setting never quite landed for me; a high school environment may have made the premise feel more immediate. At times, the play seemed uncertain about exactly what it wanted to say, and with organised religion playing a generally smaller role in many young people's lives today, the themes didn't always feel as resonant as they could have.
Overall: Worth seeing to support emerging artists and a talented ensemble, particularly if you're interested in seeing horror and thriller explored in live theatre. It may not fully come together, but it's an ambitious piece that takes risks - and that's always worth encouraging.
Diamond Rating (out of 5): 💎💎💎.5
Runs Until: 24 July