• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Exeposé Online

Making the headlines since 1987

Exeposé Online
  • Editorial
      • Newsletter
      • Puzzles and Games
      • What’s On
      • Print Exeposé
  • Freshers
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Exhibit
      • Arts + Lit
      • Lifestyle
      • Music
      • Screen
      • Tech
  • Science
  • Sport
  • The Exepat
      • International
      • Multilingual
      • Amplify
  • Satire
  • About
      • Editorial Team
      • Write For Us
      • Get In Touch
      • Advertise
Home / Arts & Lit

Review of ‘One for Sorrow’ at St Nicholas’ Priory

by Megan Davies

Best described as a ghost story set in Victorian Exeter, ‘One for Sorrow’ depicts Thomas Flay, a textile merchant at a time when textiles made Exeter one of the most significant cities in England. When his wife disappears on their wedding day, he searches in vain. But the real main character is Ignatius, Thomas’ brother, portrayed by Midge Mullin who expertly drives us to the horrifying conclusion. The mystery and suspense of the ghost story are easily the most enjoyable aspects of the play, and those really need to be discovered in person.

The mystery and suspense of the ghost story are easily the most enjoyable aspects of the play

Staging a play in a historical building such as St Nicholas’ Priory gave the company lots of options to create an appropriately spooky atmosphere, and they are successful – even the lobby, in fact a chamber of the Priory, is frightening, where they are led up to the Priory’s Great Hall as a group. The Great Hall remains relatively mysterious to us, which helps create suspense.

The play is at its best when it integrates its setting in subtly small ways – the flicker of a candle, for example. These evoke the sense of history that the building is steeped in. References to the Exeter area remind us of the love for the play, and since parts of the play are set in the Priory, we truly feel that we’re having a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

we truly feel that we’re having a once-in-a-lifetime experience

The use of imagery and song, too – “one for sorrow” reflecting the nursery rhyme – appropriately reflect the period setting and the spooky material.

My only complaint, really, is that I would have liked to stay longer – the play lasts about an hour and I would really have liked to spend a little more time enjoying it.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

About Megan Davies

2018/19 Print Editor, 2017/18 Print News Editor.

Reader Interactions

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Review: Andor
  • Why you should go on a year abroad
  • Cinematographer spotlight: Bruno Delbonnel
  • Can we separate the Art from the Artist?
  • Should all restaurants provide vegan options?
  • Review: TÁR
  • “Forever chemicals” still in use in UK makeup
  • University establishes tutoring scheme for disadvantaged school students

Footer

  • facebook-alt
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • mail