Durham Fringe Festival 2024
Hellcats
Menstrual Rage Theatre Company
Venue: Palace Green Stretch Tent, Durham
Festival: Durham Fringe Festival
Low Down
“17th Century England. Crops are dying, sickness is on the rise, misfortune lurks around every corner. Secrets. Lies. Rumours. Tensions are high. Anyone could be a witch.” Set during the time of the witch trials, this inventing and high octane production in a intelligent inquiry into the treatment of women, borne of the wings of a successful theatrical and comedic romp into history.
Review
The time of the witch trials in 17th Century England and the witchfinder is on a commission, both darkly obessive and also financially rewarding.
Not for the faint hearted, this explosive theatre production often delivers raw, knockabout physical and verbal comedy to tell a story that in different ways is still played out in our present times, and also exposes the smokescreen those witch trials were for a subjugation of women. Insodoing it succeessful goes deeper than being a very enjoyable and laughaloud parody, exploring important questions and revealing the roots of issues and questions that still persist today. Whether intentional or not, it pokes a sharp and important finger at what is happening across the world today in places as diverse as the United States, Uganda and the African continent, China and perhaps closer to home.
Some terrific characters, such as the priest, are delivered goonishly, adding to the brash undertone of the performance and script. The show is filled with anarchic energy and represents a comedy of bad manners. It unapologetically goes volcanically over the top but isn’t afraid to occasionally slow the tempo, intensity, and volume. There’s a feel of street theatre, agit-prop, pantomine, Shakespeare as well as clownish caricature comedy. It all mixes together in a way that had audience members whooping with delight, booing in the right places, and also being very silent during the more tender moments.
A tale of witches and witchcraft, the story skilfully emerges amid chaotic comedy and set pieces. There is witch hunting aplenty, and the absurdist comedy manages to hold the narrative together. The cast play their parts with ease and deliver with a stirring commitment, blowing any romantic notions of those far-off times out of the water.
This is an enjoyably unhinged horrible history. Python used the same device in their history-based farces, emplying a few very naturalistic and quieter characters scenes among all the other grotesque caricatures. Yet ultimately, this is a tale of witches and women. When a tonic becomes a potion, the witchfinder general might well become interested! And guess, what, he (note “he”) is coming to town.
Not all of the vocal delivery comes across as clearly as it should in this semi-outdoor space. The grotesque elements could, and should, be taken further as innocence clashes with the bawdy and brutal. This is a show that energetically ranges far and wide but there are even more risks that could be taken, especially physically.
Occasionally, the comedy acting and dialogue overload the clarity and accessibility of the narrative. Improved comedy dramaturgy would bring needed clarity to the story. Yet when the witchfinder finally arrives, what a treat! Here panto-style kicks in, and the action darkens to a shattering finale.
The show is a blend of physical theatre, verbal and physical comedy, rap, audience participation, choreography, and bawdy gags. By the end, we were all ready for that one-way ticket to the slaughterhouse. Blending genres and poking fun at medieval story tropes, we have an often anarchic parody, a well-performed pastiche.
The witch trials were an excuse to further subjugate women in society. Comparisons with the all male comedy Penny Dreadfuls can be made to highlight the comedy strengths of this multi-talented cast. Underneath all the mayhem is a carefully crafted story cpnsidering important social and cultural questions.
Glorious betrayal and five women arrested on suspicion of witchcraft form the well chosen context for this historical inquiry at the heart of this show. When is a love potion a vital natural medicine, and when is it proof of evil?
This skilfully messy horror show offers genuine hdepth and speculations on the witch hunts, exploring how women were treated in a male-dominated world. It is a bold and brash historical romp.
