Lady M Youth Theatre will perform its first show at the 2015 Buxton Fringe, The Raven, a comic gothic horror rendition of Edgar Allan Poe’s tale of lost love and despair.
The performance opens with a zombie who is soon joined by Nosferatu the vampire. When Edgar Allan Poe appears on stage, the story begins, with Poe narrating his most famous work whilst Nosferatu provides the insight and meaning behind the words. The raven puts in an appearance and is the focal point for the remainder of the show.
Ole Madden, who plays Nosferatu, compared the role with his most recent one as Nathan Detroit in Chapel-en-le-Frith High School’s production of Guys and Dolls.
“In Guys there was a huge cast to help you out or prompt you. The Raven is a lot more challenging as there are just the four of us—it’s a sharp and exciting piece with no chance to relax.”
High Peak author Michael Madden has adapted the show: “The Raven is such an evocative piece, very visual, which we have built on to include a vampire and a zombie, and of course the raven itself.
“Dominic Keefe, who provided the artwork, suggested we could get Edgar Allan Poe to narrate his own poem. It sounded perfect and that’s how our cast of characters was assembled to deliver this imaginative piece.”
The Raven will be performed in the Pauper’s Pit, Buxton on Sunday 12 July and Tuesday 21 July at 10:15PM, and Friday 17 July and Sunday 19 July at 2:45PM.