A gruesome Victorian thriller is set to be performed in an unusual Coventry location this Halloween for the first time.
EGO Arts is collaborating with Historic Coventry Trust to perform Mortal at London Road Cemetery, which has undergone an extensive £1.7 million restoration to showcase the once-forgotten gem.
The Coventry-based arts company, which specialises in theatre, music and production arts, has been working on the site-specific theatre performance that has been inspired by the cemetery since January.
Funding for the show has been provided by Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Historic Coventry Trust, Coventry City Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund part of Parks for People.
The grizzly tale goes back in time to 1885 when Dr Cornelius Hunter finds himself caught between two rival gangs called the Crows and the Perkins.
The first section of the 50-minute performance will take place at different locations throughout the cemetery before the audience watches the rest of the show from inside the cemetery’s Anglican Chapel.
Francis Stojsavljevic of EGO Arts said this was their first collaboration with Historic Coventry Trust and the cast had all been involved in the storylines.
He said: “I don’t think many people will have seen a theatre performance in a cemetery before and it isn’t just a sit-down show because the audience will be moving around in the first section.
“Although we have our own venue in the city centre, we're now basing productions in much bigger locations across Coventry, like last year's Pirates of the Canal Basin."
“We have worked really hard on this over the last few months and this is a professional ensemble since we will be producing a show to a professional standard.
“Many people drive or walk past London Road Cemetery and have never been into Paxton’s Arboretum which is a beautiful place that can be enjoyed.
“I think people who have not visited before will be surprised as they are led through the cemetery during the show before sitting in the Anglican Chapel for the last hour of the performance.”
Graham Tait, Assistant Director at Historic Coventry Trust, said this would be a great way for over-16s to celebrate Halloween.
He said: “London Road Cemetery is one of the best-preserved Victorian cemeteries in England and the refurbishment means we can showcase the building to new audiences.
“This is a great opportunity for visitors to come along to watch the production of Mortal by EGO Arts who have worked exceptionally hard to bring this thriller to life.
“The cemetery and Anglican Chapel are a perfect backdrop to enjoy this indoor and outdoor Halloween theatre show and thanks to all the funders including National Lottery players.”
Mortal will take place on October 26, 27, 28 and 31 and November 2, 3 and 4 at 8pm.
Tickets are priced at £20 or £18 for concessions and are available from https://www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk/whats-on/mortal/
Caption: EGO Arts who will be performing Mortal. Photo credit: Andrew Moore.