Review: The Monkey’s Paw, The Hope Theatre

There’s something wonderful about ghost stories set in old’un times. That’s not to say modern one are less deserving to be on the stage, but the look and feel of a classic 19^th century tale really does it for me. Perhaps it’s because ghost stories simply work best without the interference of modern technology, no need to find a cunning way to explain away why they don’t just whip out their mobile and call for help, something which in itself is getting harder and harder as mobile coverage gets better in even the most remote of places; an audience just won’t believe you anymore if you say “oh no, we’re in a mobile black spot”!

The Monkey’s Paw sits nicely in that “old’un” genre, written in 1902 by W. W. Jacobs and in Infinite Space Theatre’s adaptation, is only slightly modernised as they bring it forward a few years towards the First World War. So absolutely no mobile phones to explain away here.

The story also has the absolute feel of classic ghost stories you’d tell in a darkened room lit only by candlelight. Loving couple John and Jenny are struggling to get by and avoid the workhouse. It’s rather clear that what Jenny wants above all else is to add a child to their family but has never managed to carry a baby to full-term, each lost child represented by another white rose in the vase. Whilst Jenny yearns for a child, John has found one in his job working in the warehouse of the British Museum; or more precisely, it’s a mummified child, part of the latest collections taken from an Egyptian tomb. So, as Jenny mourns, John glows as he works to discover the story of this child. 

For any connoisseurs of classic ghost stories, it won’t come as too much of a surprise to learn that within the crate he is unpacking is an object that is about to change his life, but for the better or worse is yet to be decided. Oh, ok let’s admit it, it’s a spooky ghost story, it’s going to be for the worse isn’t it! That object, the mysterious monkey’s paw grants the holder their wishes, but as with all magic wishes, each come with its own price. 

The whole feel and look of the play are wonderful, from the glorious set to its Edwardian costumes, whilst little touches within the script, such as discussing the coalman and price of sausages and eggs, really keep us rooted fully in the right time. 

As John and Jenny, Steven Maddocks and Josephine Rogers really do fill their roles fully, all the way down to Maddocks little era defining moustache. It’s this attention to detail throughout that holds it all together. The scenes used to suggest the passing of time or to show the distance coming between the couple as Jenny mourns being childless whilst John obsesses over the mummified remains of the child found in the unearthed tomb are superbly performed by the pair.

The main issue though is in its pacing, at least for the ghost story elements of the plot. They have taken a short story and built it into a full-length play, but at times, it could do with being driven along just a little faster. Much as the monkey’s paw is literally put to one side and forgotten about for whole periods of time, the plot does very much the same. Saying that, as a period drama it still has its charm as we watch this young couple age and struggle with both the desire to be parents and the ravishes of war on the economy and their lives.

Whilst as someone who seeks out chilling stories this time of year, I yearned for a little more of that aspect, there’s no denying that The Monkey’s Paw is visually delightful, both as a period piece and as a story with a little edge to it. 

Written by W.W. Jacobs
Adapted and produced by Infinite Space Theatre
Directed by Leah Townley
Set design by Hannah Williams
Sound Design by Peter Michaels
Stage Manager: Joe Judd
Prop Design by Gisela Mulindwa

The Monkey’s Paw plays at The Hope Theatre until Saturday 8 November.