Review: KILLER, Shoreditch Town Hall

Now playing in rep with The Pitchfork Disney, Killer is Philip Ridley's newest work: a darkly comic piece (quite literally) that pushes the boundaries of fear and suspense. It stands alone from everything on offer at the moment - you will not find anything else quite like this.

Consisting of three monologues, the audience is taken on a journey around the depths of Shoreditch Town Hall and explores the nature of killing from three very different people's perspectives. Upon entering the first room, you're provided with a pair of headphones which you need to wear for the entire 90-minute performance. George Dennis and Ben and Max Ringham's sound design works a treat, toying with your perceptions of what's happening, as the sound switches from side to side and travels all around you.

The first scenario is in a large room, with everyone sat in a square facing out - in complete and utter darkness. The speaker (John MacMillan) takes you through his initiation into a violent gang, which has a bizarre final test of his capabilities. Despite it being pitch black, the adrenaline from your nerves keeps you alert whilst you try to adjust to the surroundings. This, combined with the ingenious sound design, plays with your mind as you start to wonder where MacMillan is and whether there will be any visual shocks coming your way.

The next monologue brings the audience into a narrow room, seated again, as they listen to an horrific tale of mass murder by sledgehammer recounted by a carer with very particular habits and routines. The lighting (Azusa Ono) in this room is eerie, coming predominantly from either end of the room and behind the person sat opposite. From this, everyone is led into a final room to stand and hear a tale of a man on a witness protection scheme who is endlessly on the run. This is probably the funniest of the three, thanks to its fantastical and ridiculous features.

John MacMillan holds the audience in the palm of his hand from the very beginning, effortlessly entertaining and chilling in equal measure. Considering he is barely seen throughout the performance, this is no mean feat. Until you experience it, it is hard to imagine how a show in which there's nothing to watch can be so gripping, but this is largely down to MacMillan's masterful approach - along with skilful direction from Jamie Lloyd.

It is a unique experience that plays on primal fears and instincts. With a lack of visuals it also allows you to clearly picture what is being described, testing quite how vivid your imagination can be. We live in a world that seems to have threats around every corner, and this production really taps into that feeling - it is the most essential theatrical event of the year so far.

Killer is at Shoreditch Town Hall until 8 April

Picture credit: Matt Humphrey

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