I Met a Man Who Wasn't There

Synopsis

This chilling supernatural-thriller questions the greatest mystery of all - life after death. Edgar Rhyme, once a famous psychic with an ardent flock of followers, now lives alone in a cluttered upstairs flat in a fading northern seaside town with his beloved jazz music. As he mourns the loss of his wife, Edgar attempts to block out all contact with the spirit world but something is trying to break through to him. Amanda Schilling, an investigative journalist with a chequered career, wants to interview Edgar for a high-profile series she is writing about British obsessions. She feels Edgar will be the perfect subject for a piece about spiritualism. Edgar is cautious, but the payment Amanda offers persuades him to talk. As Edgar tells her the story of his life, she becomes aware that a frightening force has reached Edgar before she has and will use him to unearth her own terrible secret. The mismatched pair soon realise why they have been drawn together. As they discover the importance of the decisions they will make during the long dark night, an eerie image of a small boy appears in the mottled mirror above Edgar’s fireplace - slowly growing stronger... and getting angrier...

Our Review:

Anne Morley-Priestman - 19 May 2011

Thrillers come in many guises. Supernatural ones, however, present a problem when staged. Take the new one by Philip Meeks, an experienced writer for both television and theatre. It’s a two-hander, which in itself places a heavy burden on the actors, and there are many materialisations of different kinds as a journalist and the clairvoyant she interviews reveal the layers of both their pasts.

I won’t spoil the ending for you; that certainly wouldn’t be playing fair. But I did think that it didn’t quite work. The setting is a room in a shabby top-floor flat in a seaside resort which no longer attract tourists. Edgar is a widower, just about getting-by financially. Amanda has been an award-winning reporter and still attracts commissions from weekend supplements. The fee she offers for the interview is one he cannot afford to refuse.

Cathy Shipton is very good as Amanda, forceful and brittle at the same time, so that you know that there is more...

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Latest User Review

Joanna Rayment - 22 May 2011:

I didnt think the curtain detracted, I thought the opposite that it added suspense. I did think Cathy was excellent and totally captivating and it was really sweet at the end when she smiled sincerely and looked around the audience while Brian looked more aloof. Brian was very good too but a couple of times I lost engagement. Nonetheless a very enjoyable evening, an amazing feat that both actors learnt such a lot of lines and the special effects were good. If I had known what was awaiting in "I saw a man" I definately would have chosen to go and would have recommended to others. ...

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