The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Playwrights – Adaptation and story by Peter Balkwill, Anna Cummer, Steven (Pityu) Kenderes, and Judd Palmer; written by Anna Cummer and Judd Palmer; based on the story by Washington Irving.

Production Company/Theatre space – Professional, Alberta Theatre Projects, Martha Cohen Theatre, Werklund Centre.

Length – 2 Act (2 hours, 40 mins, one 30-minute intermission)

Genre/s – Fantasy

Premise – After the American Civil War abates, a teacher is sent to teach a community of people living in the woods said to be haunted by a headless horse rider.

Why this play? Why now? – A well-known tale with contemporary political parallels.

Curiosities – Was I the only one who thought the prominent tree was going to transform?

Notable Moment – The inevitable.

Notable writing – The pontification and long-winded set up suffocate the wonderful political parallels that would produce a smash hit. The phrase “no kings” has taken on a different relevance from King George III. Pundits predict civil war is about to be revisited on the current troubled USA, as troops are being sent to peaceful American cities, and ICE is deporting citizens without due process. Closer to home, the political divide is sharper than ever and Alberta teachers are forced to strike. The theme that education dispenses with superstition and ghosts only to have the main character forced to believe if they are to stay alive is subverted when the teacher falls prey to unnatural entities. It’s a long play and building suspense is difficult when the story is interrupted by a 30-minute intermission.

Notable performances – Matthew Mooney is masterful. The buffoonish hidden Loyalist mayor and his wife (Doug McKeag and Jamie Konchak) pull off repetitive jabberwocky-esque dialogue. In the absence of the Spector, Devon Brayne becomes the de facto antagonist along with Christopher Clare who welds the only gun; both do very well.   

Notable design/Production – The theatrical joy of shows like this is the creativity of The Old Trout Puppet Workshop. The backstory is played out with simple shadow puppets. Crows and two stuffed soldier puppets were more of a tease. The magnificence of the final moments of the play only left us wanting more magic, more puppets, and less people.

Notable direction – Craig Hall director (and husband to Anna Cummer) dared his wife 8 years ago to do a classic adaption, and this is their latest collaboration. After producing thrillers and mystery theatre at Vertigo, he knows how to effectively incorporate darkness, thunder, and things that go neigh in the night. The playwrights have provided a Greek chorus of zombie ghosts which work together well until pressed into service to move furniture.

One reason to see this show – Perfect for the Halloween.