Let the Right One In

Black Swan State Theatre Company’s final production of 2017 is a very dark incarnation of Let the Right One In.

Based on the Swedish novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist and adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne, it tells of Oskar, a 12 year old boy, lonely and bullied, who meets Eli, a mysterious and scruffy teenaged girl. The two form an unlikely but genuine friendship as local police attempt to solve a series of grizzly murders.

Bruce McKinven’s set is  a cold, three story post modernist, apartment block, lacking warmth and history. Richard Vabre’s lighting is by necessity very dark yet brutal and Rachael Dease’s sound design is at times isolating and disturbing. Video projections by Michael Carmody add colour and emotion and are effectively unnerving.

Ian Michael embodies the awkward protagonist Oskar, in a loveable, moving performance - the audience embrace him quickly and warmly. Sophia Forrest is fascinating as the complex, highly nuanced Eli, who moves around the set at quicksilver speed. The two work well together and work hard; they are rarely offstage in this episodic play and must do an unthinkable stair count behind the multi-level set.

Great support from the remainder of the cast, many of whom play a number of very diverse roles. Stuart Halusz is excellent both as sympathetic Phys Ed teacher and determined police officer; Rory O’Keefe is vastly different as bully Johnny and Oskar’s father’s ‘friend’ Janne; Clarence Ryan is menacing as Micke; Steve Turner is convincing as Hakan - who at first appears to be Eli’s father; Alison Van Reeken is a beautifully flawed mother and Maitland Schnaars is chameleon-like in six different roles.

This is a horror story and isn’t terribly comfortable to watch - apart from the unsettling subject manner, it may be physically uncomfortable for some audience members. Some of the action is set very high on the stage, and it is very dimly lit - but it is a very engaging story and is expertly constructed.

A better blood-lust story than Twilight, this show may appeal to a different demographic than Black Swan’s usual audiences. Well worth a look for lovers of young adult fiction, horror and a good murder mystery.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Daniel J Grant