Darlinghurst Theatre Company Presents Let The Right One In
Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s highly anticipated ‘Let the Right One In’ has just opened at the Eternity Playhouse and will be running until 20th November, 2022. Directed by Alexander Berlage (American Psycho) and based on the best-selling novel and film by Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist, this spine-tingling vampire thriller of mythic proportions has been superbly crafted for the stage by Jack Thorne – TONY Award-winning writer of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’, BBC’s ‘His Dark Materials’ and the BAFTA-winning ‘National Treasure’.
It follows Oskar who is a lonely, bullied teenager living with his mother in a bleak apartment building on the edge of town. Eli just moved in next door – she doesn’t go to school and never leaves her flat. They quickly become unlikely friends, but when a series of grisly unexplained murders plague the neighbourhood, their friendship is tested beyond all imaginable limits.
Artistic Director Amylia Harris speaks on the production, “‘Let the Right One In’ is the continuation of boundary-pushing work at Darlo, as we continue to break the mould of what theatre can be. This production will be a full-bodied, sensory experience that will have you on the edge of your seat.”
Brought to you by the lead artists who gave us ‘American Psycho’ (The Hayes), this creative team has been lauded for their expert ability to drive an experience into the delightfully unexpected. Against a backdrop of social isolation and bullying, playwright Jack Thorne draws out the sensuality of love and beauty of childhood innocence in this modern-day horror story with a twist. Artistic Director Amylia Harris adds, “Playing with the concept of being trapped in time, unable to move forward – this reimagining of the cult classic vampire film on stage is the reawakening we all need”.
Promising a visceral experience only live theatre can provide, Berlage has assembled an impressive cast to bring this brutal and beautiful story to the stage. Fresh off the set of Netflix’s ‘Heartbreak High’, Will McDonald steps into the shoes of the lonely and bullied teen Oskar. Joining him as Eli is newcomer Sebrina Thornton-Walker.
They will be joined on stage by Stephen Anderton (TV’s Convict), Eddie Orton (Heroes of the Fourth Turning, Seymour Centre), Callan Colley (Orange Thrower, Griffin), Monica Sayers (The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Sydney Theatre Company), Matthew Whittet (Girl Asleep, Belvoir) and Josh Price (The Cherry Orchard, Belvoir), with Hayley Edwards and Marcus Rivera joining the ensemble as swings.
Adding to this, Alexander Berlage says, “It’s a type of theatre that you don’t see a lot of on stage, particularly in Sydney. It’s a genre piece – combining a coming-of-age story with elements that draw on both the supernatural and horror. At its core, the production explores the deeply human experience of desperately trying to find hope and one’s place in the world.”
Berlage tells Darlinghurst Theatre Company that fans of the film won’t be disappointed, and he promises to keep them on their toes. “The script itself is quite similar to the film, except that our production will be taking the world of the play in a distinctly different direction.”
Experience the brutal and beautiful coming-of-age story filled with murder, mystery, and the euphoria of first love. ‘Let the Right One In’ will be presented by Darlinghurst Theatre Company (39 Burton St, Darlinghurst) until Sunday 20th November, 2022. For more information and bookings, click here.
