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Medium

 
Susanne Crosby Review by Susanne Crosby 3 Published: 19 May 2025 Grania Dean Studio (Lantern Theatre @ ACT) Show Dates: 16 May 2025-18 May 2025

Isaac Freeman’s Medium offers an intriguing glimpse into the fascination with Victorian spiritualism. Set in 1875, the play unfolds while preparing for a séance where two renowned mediums confront unsettling truths. Freeman’s script captures the era’s language and atmosphere with commendable authenticity, immersing us in a world where belief and deception intertwine.

Atmospheric setting and strong performances

The production’s attention to period detail is evident, from the set design to the costuming, effectively transporting viewers to a bygone London. The addition of the smell of incense is a lovely touch. The performances are intense, with the actors delivering their roles with conviction, particularly in the more suspenseful moments, although sometimes the words spoken seem incongruent with the actions.

The play is based on accounts written at the time and the people referenced in the play are all real, which adds to its fascination. It also leaves open-ended answers as to whether there is any truth to the spiritualism of the time.

However, while the tension builds steadily throughout the play, the climax doesn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff one might expect. The pacing occasionally falters, and certain elements feel drawn out, leading to a conclusion that, while intriguing, leaves some questions unanswered.

Medium is a commendable effort that showcases Freeman’s potential as a playwright. The production’s strengths lie in its atmospheric setting and strong performances, though the narrative’s resolution may leave some seeking a more definitive conclusion.

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The Blurb:

In 1875, two of London’s favourite spiritualist Mediums sit waiting for a séance to begin. But not everything is as it appears to be... at least to one of them. Who is really pulling the strings? And what exactly is it that is haunting them? A new play based on true events that asks the question: how far can belief take you?