Review: Bog Body, Barons Court Theatre

One of the joys of live theatre is that every performance is slightly different; a word altered, a pause expanded, or technical issue arising. Obviously, no one wants that last, but it’s unavoidable sometimes and makes the live experience unique. So, when things do go wrong, it’s down to the skill and guile of the team to cover it up and ensure the audience still leave satisfied.

It’s clear that this first performance of Bog Body was having technical issues even before the start. Crew members were rushing around, and as the start time passed, we were still waiting. This is a problem for very technical shows at a fringe venue, especially for one in a basement that maybe doesn’t have the best Wi-Fi/5G connection! But thankfully after a short delay we were off, and all appeared in working order…

Bog Body is presented as a lecture by Dr. Alyssa Kim (writer Olivia Cordell) about the real phenomenon of those titular bog bodies. And we, the lucky audience, are about to be the first to witness the most recent to be found. To begin though, we’re taken through a whirlwind lecture and slideshow on their history. Of course, it doesn’t take much guessing to know where the horror element of this show is going to come from: that sheeted body-shaped object is quite the giveaway.

There are two major issues with Bog Body requiring attention. The easiest to fix are the technical issues that haunted this performance. Even the briefest of reading about this show will make it clear there are robotics. Except, well, there weren’t. It’s safe to assume that body is meant to move, so when it doesn’t it means the tension is slightly lacking. Yes, we get flickering lights, creepy sounds and talk of horrific past events, but we don’t get the real shock of seeing something move at just the right moment. It means today’s audience failed to get the full desired effect and the overall result was weakened.

The second issue needs a slightly bigger fix. The first half of the show is just too dry. It’s literally a lecture on bog bodies, with a few hints at what’s to come introduced as Dr. Kim stutters over incorrect slides or refers to missing colleagues. Whilst sometimes interesting, it takes way too long to get us into the real meat of the show. Put simply, less lecture, more chills.

The second half, though, certainly delivers as things get wonderfully creepy, coming to full life with Elizabeth’s decline into the madness that has affected all her predecessors. More than that there is some beautiful writing that brings the horrors into a female spotlight. It’s clear that the talk of scars always leaving their mark references much more than physical ones, but additionally those we leave throughout history: none more so than in the historic treatment of women, from burning witches to more modern day victimisation of women. It’s clever writing, insightful and with the required chill – but we need more of this earlier.

Cordell does a superb job of covering up for the technical issues, along with some more intentional ad-libbing as she enquires of the audience about their own scars. It’s just a shame we never witnessed the full show. But that’s live theatre for you. Bog Body shows plenty of promise but to realise it those technical issues must be resolved. When they manage that, I’ll head back to get the full effect.

You can read more about this show in our interview here.

Written by Olivia Cordell
Directed by Emily Hawkins

Bog Body plays at Barons Court Theatre until Sunday 17 August, with further dates scheduled throughout 2025.