The Poltergeist
Written byPhilip Ridley
CharactersSasha
GenreSolo performance

The Poltergeist is a 2020 play by Philip Ridley.[1] It won the OnComm Award for "Best Livestream" at the 2021 Offies.

Production history

The play premiered at the Southwark Playhouse in London in 2020, starring Joseph Potter[2] and directed by Wiebke Green, who also directed Ridley's The Beast Will Rise monologue sequence.[3]

Ridley wrote the play during the UK's first lockdown of the 2020–2021 COVID-19 pandemic. It was originally intended for a socially-distanced performance with an accompanying livestream,[4] but was moved to a livestream-only event when the UK's second lockdown was implemented.[5]

Critical reception

The Poltergeist was received positively by critics. Greg Stewart, writing for Theatre Weekly, said: "It will come as no surprise to admirers of Philip Ridley, that he has penned another jewel in the crown of theatre, but add in a tour-de-force performance from Joseph Potter and we quite possibly have one of the most remarkable pieces of theatre of the year. With or without a standing ovation, The Poltergeist is one of those rare and unmissable pieces that will be talked about for years to come."[5] Dave Fargnoli for The Stage wrote: "Joseph Potter's performance crackles with intensity, snapping between multiple characters at breakneck speed, mercilessly piercing every line of banal chit-chat with a tirade of caustic asides."[1] Sam Marlowe for i wrote that it was "a terrific, teeth-grindingly tense monologue", "a typically exhilarating, wild Ridley ride, with a phenomenal motormouth performance from Joseph Potter."[6]

Awards

The Poltergeist won the OnComm Award for "Best Livestream" at the 2021 Offies.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Poltergeist". The Stage. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Joseph Potter to Star in World Premiere of The Poltergeist at Southwark Playhouse".
  3. ↑ "Review: The Beast Will Rise".
  4. ↑ "Joseph Potter to Star in World Premiere of The Poltergeist at Southwark Playhouse". Theatre Weekly.
  5. 1 2 "Review: The Poltergeist at Southwark Playhouse (Online)". Theatre Weekly. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "The Poltergeist, Southwark Playhouse, review: a terrific, teeth-grindingly tense monologue". i. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "Offies 2021: the winners in full". The Stage. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
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