If you had the opportunity to be your most authentic self... If you could excel at one thing for the rest of your life in exchange with the Devil for your soul, would you take it? This is is the concept that Third Pier Theatre's Daniel Hird (James Napier) and Jen McGregor (writer and director) explore in exciting new writing Old Bones. Four hundred years ago, Napier was constantly in his brother's successful shadow, until one day whilst in a bored, drunken stupor, he summons the Devil himself. After that fateful day when he wins a dice game against the keeper of hell, James Napier travels the world forever hoping to lose and finally rest in eternity.
A breath of fresh air with the right amount of fantasy, history, comedy and suspense
One might think that this is an overused concept of the Devil wanting your soul in exchange for something else; but here, Hird and McGregor turn the concept on its head by not only exploring the biggest price to pay - what would actually happen if you did win - but cleverly fusing fiction and real life historical events of witchcraft, devil worship and more with a small hint of immersive interaction with the audience to bring Napier's story to life.
Using this kind of fusion is a huge risk, as well as picking on members of the audience to be part of the story due to the fact the suspense and mystery for a tale such as this can be lost. But it is not the case here. McGregor's writing is seamless, timeless and creates the perfect scenario for our lost narrator, beautifully blurring the lines between fiction and reality that nothing is questioned at all. The magic of her writing and her sharp direction of Hird's sterling performance heightens the supernatural elements needed to draw the audience in. So much so, if someone is chosen to join our protagonist on stage, again, nothing is questioned due to the powerful and engaging story telling prowess of Hird. He draws everyone in never missing a beat and has a strong emotional journey as he gradually lets us in to his ever lasting torment, as he discovers love, manipulation and more.
The set is simple - a small painted picture of his brother four hundred years ago, a single wooden chair, red sheets thrown over objects such as a candle to create intensity and a pack of playing cards indicating gambling risks and a lust for throwing everyting to chance. Using these simple things, as well as Hird's charm and physicalised performances to indicate sea travel, nearly drowning and more, easily creates a world that fits comfortably between this world and the next. Not only that, the vocal dynamics Hird uses to weave a spell over us and keep us interested is engaging. Ranging between bitterness, happiness and sadness with the perfect amount of breathing space to comprehend the horror the Devil puts him through despite not always being present.
Old Bones is a breath of fresh air with the right amount of fantasy, history, comedy and suspense.
