Darkness Falls is the name given by writer Jonathan Holloway to a double bill of two plays, one an adaptation of an old story by W.W. Jacobs and the other an up to date version of an old German legend. Both of the plays deal with themes relating to the dark side of human nature, hence the title.

The first story is The Monkey’s Paw. This is a story written in 1902, now given a slightly more modern setting. It has links with many older stories, including Chinese legends, and deals with the perils of recklessly wishing for things to be different, without thinking of the possible consequences.

The second story, The Dark is Holloway’s own take on the classic legend of Faust. Faust’s tale has been the basis for many literary, artistic, cinematic and musical works, including Christopher Marlowe’s 16^th century play and Goethe’s version two hundred years later. It is the story of a dissatisfied, ambitious man who, in order to improve his fortunes, makes a terrible pact with the Devil’s henchman, Mephistopheles. In the course of the story, he destroys the life of an innocent girl. The fate of Faust himself varies according to the different versions – in some he is called upon to pay the debt and is eternally damned, in others, his efforts to save the girl lead to his own salvation. In this version, set in the present day, Jonathan Holloway plays with both scenarios and encourages the audience to think along a number of lines.

There are a number of links, on many levels, between the two plays. The chief connection, though, is the fact that both stories deal with the dangers inherent in allowing the twin deadly sins of greed and ambition to hold sway. Whether or not one is a believer in the supernatural, the lesson still has relevance. Both plays pose the eternal question about the true nature of evil.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now for just £10.

School groups pay only £5 per seat. Teachers interested in booking seats should contact our Education Coordinators Cindy Lawford and Elliot Brown to find out about available workshops and talks on the play.

Free-of-charge pre- and post-show talks:

• Wednesday 28^th at 7.30pm in the Clubroom
  Director Siobhán Hill Elam explains the attraction of Holloway’s good old-fashioned terror.
• Thursday 29^th at 7.30pm in the Clubroom
  Dr. Cindy Lawford reviews the lives and works of W.W. Jacobs and Jonathan Holloway.
• Friday 30^th after the performance
  Cast members stay on stage to answer audience questions.