Reader Reviews
Haunting Julia (Riverside Studios, Outer London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | on reflection, perhaps my previous comments are unfairly harsh and need putting in context. The actors were all very good (quite brilliant in fact), and my comments were not aimed at them. I was just disappointed as I was expecting truly chilling theatre, and that wasnt what I saw. - Ken Hunt | 10 Jul 11 |
| A faultless performance by all the cast. For me it was worth seeing for the appearance of Richard O'Callaghan, who from the beginning gave us a lesson of what acting is all about. - Bill Baker | 30 Jun 11 |
| What a bitter disappointment this play turned out to be. 2 hours of boring speeches, peppered occasionally with rather lame attempts at humour. I went to the theatre to be scared, (advertising material for the show compares it to "The Woman in Black")and this is probaly the most unfrightening thing I've ever seen. Luckily, I got half price tickets - even then I consider it to have been a total waste of money. Save your money. Watch an episode of Blue Peter instead. That's way more terrifying. - Ken Hunt | 29 Jun 11 |
| Second attempt at posting. Upon later reflection it becomes clear that there is not a great deal of substance to Haunting Julia. The mysterious suicide of a musical prodigy turns out to be for predictable and mundane reasons and I am sure it was better when played for 90 minutes without an interval. However, Ayckbourn (who I think was in attendance) cleverly ratchets up the tension and it is superbly acted by Christopher Timpothy, Dominic Hecht and Richard O'Callaghan who has been away from a London stage for far too long. The programme also includes a massive red herring which adds to the suspense. It's very similar to The Woman in Black in that the quality of the storytelling creates the suspense and it is just as much what doesn't happen (the bricked up door) that is as unsettling as the low key effects before the genuinely chilling climax. Also like The Woman in Black this play is best seen at a matinee filled with school parties as there is nothing like the collective hysteria of screaming schollgirls to create the appropriate atmosphere. This was my first trip to the Riverside Studios which is an impressive and surprisingly spacious venue and Haunting Julia made the long trip worthwhile even if it is mostly smoke and mirrors. - David Baxter | 24 Jun 11 |
