Early Halloween treat comes to The Lowry stage

Oct 15 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

A SUPERNATURAL coming-of-age story provides an early Halloween treat at The Lowry in Salford Quays next week.

Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes follows two teenage boys, Jim and Will, whose adventures unfold as the Cooger and Dark carnival rolls into town.

The production is performed by an ensemble of eight actors and two musicians using an inspiring array of theatrical techniques, including video art and aerial performance.

Aerial dancer Jennifer Paterson swoops across the stage as the mysterious flying Dust Witch, harnessed using pulleys and weights as her evil character does battle with the teenage heroes.

Adapting his own novel for the stage, the legendary Ray Bradbury has created a chilling battle between good and evil, packed with a terrifying collection of characters including the Dust Witch and the deadly Mr Dark.

Bradbury is one of America’s greatest writers, his most famous books include Fahrenheit 451, Dandelion Wine and The Martian Chronicles.

Inspired to write Something Wicked This Way Comes by a fairground he visited when he was a child, the writer said: “My favourite ride is the merry-go-round. When I was 12, I met Mr Electrico at the carnival and he told me to live forever. I also fell in love with Halloween when I was very young, and I celebrate it in my books.”

Something Wicked This Way Comes can be seen at The Lowry from October 23-25. Ring the box office on 0870 787 5793 or visit www.thelowry.com.