I have to admit, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for gothic horror. Maybe it’s because I grew up watching the old Hammer Horror films on the telly, but there’s just something about these dark, atmospheric stories that still captures the imagination. So, when Oldbury Rep announced the world premiere of The Changeling by Birmingham playwright Paul Steventon-Marks, I was genuinely excited to see what he’d do with one of literature’s most enduring legends.
Set amongst the snow-covered forests of the Borgo Pass in Transylvania, the story begins with two travellers whose carriage breaks down, forcing them to seek shelter in an isolated cottage. Yes… a cottage in the middle of the woods. We’ve all seen enough horror films to know that’s never going to end well! From that point on, things become increasingly strange, leading us into a story packed with mystery, suspense, unexpected laughs and, naturally, vampires.
One of the things I love about seeing a world premiere is that everyone in the audience is discovering the story together. There are no famous performances to compare it to, no expectations, just the excitement of watching something completely new unfold in front of you.
That does leave me with a bit of a problem, though. How much should I tell you? After thinking about it overnight, I’ve decided… almost nothing. Honestly, half the fun is working out exactly what’s going on. The script constantly has you changing your mind about people and situations, and I think revealing much more would spoil what Paul has created. Trust me, this is one where you’re better off going in knowing as little as possible.
Before talking about the cast, I have to mention the production. Oldbury Rep always seem to know exactly how much is enough. Rather than throwing everything at the stage, they let the story do the work. The set was simple but incredibly effective, with projections used to create location and atmosphere without ever feeling gimmicky. The sound design deserves a mention too. It quietly built the tension throughout the evening, and there were moments where you could almost feel the audience holding its breath.
Then there are the costumes. If you’ve seen one of Paul Steventon-Marks’ productions before, you’ll already know they are going to look fantastic, and The Changeling is no exception. Every costume looked hand crafted and helped transport us into Transylvania. The lighting was equally impressive. It never screamed, “Look what I can do!”, but simply supported the action, creating shadows, atmosphere and the occasional splash of blood-red exactly when it was needed.
Having seen Oldbury Rep’s award-winning Macbeth last year, it’s clear the company has lost none of that attention to detail.
Kieran Bentley led the company as Van Helsing, bringing exactly the sort of calm authority you’d hope for from the famous vampire hunter. There was never any need to overplay the character; instead, Kieran delivered a measured, believable performance that anchored the entire production.
Mariel Olivier, as Mercy, once again showed why she’s become such a valued performer at Oldbury Rep. I loved your physicality throughout the performance, particularly some of the floor work, by which I mean movement, which really added to the unsettling nature of the character. You always seemed completely aware of everything happening around you, and your vocal performance was equally captivating. It was a performance full of commitment oh and blood (isn’t it always the way?)
Carol Deakin’s Frau Grohl was another standout. Carol has this wonderful ability to completely disappear into a character, and that happened again here. There were moments of warmth, moments of humour and moments where you weren’t quite sure whether to trust her. I really enjoyed your performance Carol.
Dek Bagley brought plenty of sincerity to Tomaz, helping to keep the audience guessing throughout. I have to mention the hat… absolutely loved that! Although I have to admit, I wasn’t buying that broken wheel story from the moment you arrived!
Paul Steventon-Marks also appeared as Dimitri, proving once again that his talents don’t stop at writing and directing. Paul has real stage presence. It’s one of those qualities that can’t really be taught – you either have it or you don’t – and he has it in abundance. Oh… and that costume was magnificent.
Making her Oldbury Rep debut, Sheila Herriotts immediately felt at home as Birdie. And can we talk about that voice? shrieking, expressive and completely suited to the role. Sheila, I really hope this is the first of many appearances with the company because I’d love to see what you tackle next.
Josh Plimmer embraced the wonderfully unsettling Alexander with obvious enjoyment. There was something deliciously creepy about the performance, and I found myself constantly questioning what Alexander was really thinking. That’s exactly what the role needed.
Finally, Steve Palmer took on the dual role of Puppeteer/Man, once again showing why he’s such a reliable and versatile member of the company. The puppet itself deserves a mention too. It could easily have felt gimmicky, but instead it became one of the production’s eeriest elements, adding another layer to the gothic atmosphere.
The Changeling isn’t simply another Dracula story. It takes familiar vampire mythology and twists it into something fresh, original and genuinely intriguing. It keeps you guessing, looks beautiful on stage and is full of performances that draw you into its mysterious world. It is a story you have to pay attention to, this isn’t a play that spoon-feeds its audience. The characters do guide you through the mystery, but it can be complicated. Maybe because of this, the payoff is all the more satisfying.
Oldbury Rep have developed a reputation for producing ambitious theatre with production values that far exceed what many amateur companies achieve, and The Changeling only strengthens that reputation. If you enjoy gothic horror, clever storytelling and an evening where you’re never quite sure what’s coming next, I’d definitely recommend making the journey to Transylvania, just don’t loose your head..
Reviewed by David T.
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