Take a silly, surprising trip to immersive ‘Gothic Manor’
YTheou have to hand it to the honest producers of “Gothic Manor,” a silly diversion underway in the least showy of Orlando Repertory Theatre’s performance spaces. New Generation Theatrical subtitled its entertainingly goofy comedy “A new immersive intoxication affair” so the producers are up front about the fact that drinking is going to be part of the evening. For some, a big part.
But it’s not the booze talking when I tell you this bit of fluff hits the right spot in lifting spirits — and in an age when every theatrical enterprise claims to be “immersive,” this one really feels like it lived up to the description. From audience interaction, to the chance to influence the show through improv-like suggestions, to the drinks served during the performance as part of the plot, to a surprise that makes the experience multisensory: I felt immersed.
Immersed in nonsense, that is. But in this gloomy day and age of war, inflation and political divide, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of nonsense to take us away. And when the nonsense is delivered with this sort of self-aware panache, all the better.
Michael Knight’s story borrows heavily from all stories of this type — the generic title is even the butt of a joke — but does so with a knowing nod and wink to the audience: “Are they trying to take over the world?” “Of course, they are trying to take over the world.”
In the story, a duke has inside him a demonic spirit from another dimension who can grant all sorts of power. A baroness, the duke’s lover, wants to set the spirit free — by letting it feed upon the souls of the assembled guests — so it can altruistically make the world better. Sure it will.
But this is more an excuse to watch comic actors do their thing. And do it well. In fact, after each short break (to make more trips to the bar), the plot is basically recapped in case you’re too deep in your cups to remember what’s happening.
As directed by Knight, the cast is clearly having a fine old time — even when serving the audience their magical elixirs.
As the duke, Gregg Baker has just the right gravitas and a perfectly mesmerizing voice for his character (his voice gets up to other tricks later in the show). Hannah McGinley Lemasters’ baroness, a chattering
cross between Bette Midler and Patti LuPone, can work a room. Neither are thrown by the audience suggestions they must incorporate into the story (Your greatest desires are more cats? A mustache? Orlando, set your sights a little higher.)
As the servants, Megan Borkes is appealing feisty and Josh Melendez endearingly dim. Brandon Roberts is the ringleader of it all, with a combination of vocal tics, physical comedy and his finely honed sense of comic timing.
The actors have a great space in which to play. Zeshan Khan’s set creates a spooky mansion in our imaginations (a portrait illuminated by flickering candlelight is the perfect touch), while playwright Knight’s lighting and sound bring new life to a theater best known as the Orlando Fringe Festival’s rather basic Green venue. Lights are the deep purple of mystery and the vivid red of violence; sound effects add to the atmosphere with precise timing.
This isn’t for theater purists; as the crowd dives deeper into their cocktails there’s a lot of talking back — and in case you haven’t figured
this out, it’s not really going to make a whole lot of sense in the end. But part of the fun is even as it all seems cozily familiar, “Gothic Manor” is a production that manages to surprise — and surprise again.
It’s a pity the run is so short. But perhaps we’ll see it return (spirits never stay dead, after all) with a retelling or a sequel detailing further mayhem in Gothic Manor. If I needed a good laugh, or a stiff drink, I’d certainly visit the old house again, demon and all.
‘Gothic Manor’
Length: 2 hours, including two intermissions
Where: Orlando Repertory Theatre, 1001 E. Princeton St. in Orlando
When: Through July 31 Cost: $15 without drinks, $35 with Info: newgentheatrical.org
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