The Highgate Vampire is a playful and wacky comedy-horror inspired by real events about two vampire hunters who both claim to have slain a fanged bloodsucker who’s been spotted in North London.
Set in the 1970s, Sheffield (Alexander Knott) is a pompous, crucifix-wielding bishop, while Farringdon (James Demaine) is a theatrical tobacconist from Vauxhall who has turned demon-hunter.
When Farringdon gate-crashes Sheffield’s vampire vanquishing lecture, their competing stories are laid out and the lecture yields to a re-enactment – a sort of play within a play.
Key moments with witnesses and victims are recreated and framed with reminders that the audience is also sitting in on a lecture, such as producer turned ‘Audrey the Technician’ (Zoe Grain) getting roped into helping with the theatrics.
The two vampire hunters’ rivalry is present in their amusing bickering. The dramatic tonal shifts between plot threads add to the comedy, alongside a good smattering of witty lines, self-referential pokes and breaks in the fourth wall.
Alexander Knott and James Demaine have good chemistry and comic timing, making this a fun watch, albeit with a slightly repetitive story structure.
The Highgate Vampire leans far more towards comedy and slapstick than black humour and horror.
Given the gothic subject matter, there are missed opportunities to add a darker atmosphere. The lighting design, in some instances for example, felt a little too bright to create a more chilling ambience.
The verdict
The Highgate Vampire is a playful, funny, eccentric and entertaining story that is well told. It is just missing a darker edge to better balance the horror with the comedy. I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
The Highgate Vampire, Omnibus Theatre
Written by James Demaine and Alexander Knott
Directed by Ryan Hutton
Starring James Demaine and Alexander Knott
Running time: 70 minutes, no interval.
Booking until 30 December for more information and to buy tickets, visit the Omnibus Theatre website.
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