Metro

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by Alan Chadwick

David Leddy s Victorian gothic promenade piece around off-limits nooks and crannies of the Citz always promised to be something special, and so it proves.

Told that the setting is the Winter Palace mnsic hall theatre, we re ushered in groups of 15 upstairs and down from the dimly lit foyer (the tables covered in sheets as if the place has been closed for years) to hear a succession of monologues delivered by characters who aren't all they seem: a Slovak strongman who isn t quite the Johnny Foreigner he appears to be; a bawdy pair of fake Siamese twins; a conscience-stricken wig-maker; a past-her-best- chorus girl; and the mother of Flora Mclvor, the unseen 12-year-old heroine. Each throws light on their own actions (and inaction) surrounding Flora s attempted coup to overthrow the malicious theatre manager after her best friend burns to death.

Like stepping into a penny dreadful, Leddy's tale of murder, intrigue and revolution is shot through with skill, style, suspense and no small measure of panache. This is one of the most haunting productions seen at the Citz for some time.

22nd January 2009