The Nag’s Head

Beers, Whines and Spirits

The Nag’s Head

by Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson and Felix Grainger

Make It Beautiful Theatre Company at the Park Theatre, Finsbury, until 28^th October

Review by Denis Valentine

The Nags Head is a show that sells itself on the lines, “Do you want to hear tales that will chill you to the bone…”, and in parts delivers on this idea but there are many other elements packed in to its hour and forty minute runtime, which make it much more than just a ghostly horror theatre tale.  As well as its spookier elements, the show is a very lively, funny affair with great energy and craft from its three actors.  

Firstly, as mentioned, the performances of each of the three actors should be highly praised.  Cara Steele grows throughout and her presence on stage by the end is strong and captivating.  Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson shows great range especially in his physicality changes between multi-roleing.  Felix Grainger injects all his characters, even the more theatrically heightened ones, with an almost familiar everyman energy which anchors them as recognisable even in their hyper forms. 

There are a few moments in proceedings where the show offers almost abstract set pieces, where it breaks off into an even more heightened reality, which work to great comedic effect.  Whether it’s a sibling dance number or filming a pub advert, they are very well constructed and definite high points.

The plays main issue is that it feels like a lot of the main story and what it achieves could have been accomplished in a lot quicker and concise manner, if the more superfluous scenes and dialogue had been cut.  

A lot of time is taken in getting to the promised spookier premise but when these scenes do arrive, they are well-delivered and they show the talent that the writers have for constructing stage horror (again may have landed even more resoundingly if there had not been so much meandering in tones and scenes in between getting to this point).  Grainger and Steele deliver a brilliantly crafted ghostly encounter in a dark basement and Fogarty-Graveson handles well, delving into the madness of a relationship with an apparent apparition. 

For the most part the show takes place inside The Nag’s Head and the stage is well set out in a simple but recognisable British pub way.  The music and lighting work well and support the proceedings accordingly, whether that’s being well crafted around some of the comedic setups or just helping to give the feel of passing of time or change in location.  

As said, the show tries to cover a wide range of tones and topics.  There are moments throughout where it looks to explore such things as family dynamics, especially in relation to both sibling and patriarchal, issues on the overburdens of capitalism, romance and grief.  With so many of these themes woven in, inevitably some are better realised and concluded than others, but all do allow the show at least a glimpse.

As a piece of new writing (written together by both Fogarty-Graveson and Grainger) the show has great potential and is an entertaining, enjoyable affair, although around thirty minutes of it could be shed to make its quality more streamlined and its tone even better defined. 

Denis Valentine, October 2023

Photography courtesy of Make It Beautiful Theatre Company