Newly widowed Mel Walker and her children Levi and Rachel are attempting to rebuild their lives after a terrible tragedy. Lost in their grief, the family members move into a historic mansion completely unaware of the horrors that lurk within. As time passes, each falls victim to the dark entities in the home and they find themselves locked in an epic battle for their sanity and their lives.
A dark fusion of physical theatre, storytelling, dance and circus, Mansion plunges viewers into a frightening hellscape inhabited by vengeful spirits and mournful souls, and the result is both emotionally intense and thoroughly entertaining.
Each act flawlessly unfolds against a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack combining spoken narrative with ominously remixed hit songs which perfectly encapsulate the sadness and despair of Mansion.
Frantic dance routines capture the emotional and physical chaos unfolding around the Walkers, while slower, more intimate numbers give audiences a glimpse into the fractured minds of the family and the entities terrorising their lives. Traditionally upbeat songs such as “You Are My Sunshine” and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” take on a uniquely melancholic feel, which creates the perfect atmosphere for stunning displays of aerial acrobatics and physical strength; the occasional jump scare ensures the audience members never become too complacent in their surroundings.
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Intricately detailed costumes bring the frightening entities of Mansion to life and the cast embrace their characters with passion, delivering powerfully creepy, at times unhinged performances which will rattle your nerves. Those in the front rows can expect to see more than one ghoulish creature slink and scream their way through the darkness, and this subtle immersive element adds a whole new layer of fear to an already-macabre show.
From its ominous opening sequence to its intense final moments, Mansion captures your attention and holds it, drawing unwitting audiences deeper into the dark, sinister world of spirits and demons. It’s the perfect nightmare.
Mansion (rated MA15+) is in The Octagon at Gluttony until March 19.
Read more 2023 Adelaide Fringe stories and reviews on InReview here.
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