Poe is a fifty-minute theatrical performance from Moonhawk Theatre, currently being staged in Theatre Two at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall.
The circumstances surrounding the death of Edgar Allan Poe have remained a mystery since he was discovered collapsed in front of a bar, never recovering enough to explain what had happened. This production explores the state of delirium the poet was in during the days following the incident, blurring the lines between fiction and reality through retellings of some of Poe’s classic short stories.
Chris Bedford plays the titular role and delivers a strong performance in Poe. They deliver a powerful recital of ‘The Raven’, capturing the intensity of the original stories. They also succeed in lightening the mood and drawing laughter from the audience with occasional humorous lines that break through the horror of the tales being told.
A noteworthy moment in the show is the retelling of ‘The Cask of Amontillado’, where Bedford (here playing Montresor) is joined by Leon Whitcomb in the role of Fortunado. The two give a compelling performance, successfully building tension throughout the scene until it reaches a breaking point with the entry of Mike Ward as the servant.
The staging of the show is interesting. In the moments between the short stories, cross-sections of a brain scan are projected on screens on either side of Bedford. At the same time, voiceovers play detailing the poet’s injuries, as well as accounts from those who knew Poe during his lifetime. These features give the performance an intensely eerie feeling, capturing the horror and mystery surrounding Poe’s demise.
Poe has moments of brilliance, but occasionally feels confused in what it’s trying to tell the audience. It is well worth watching for anyone familiar with the work of Edgar Allan Poe, and features a particularly impactful performance by Bedford.
