The Rusalka Thread

‘The Rusalka Thread’, devised by Jeffrey Jay Fowler and Natalie Holmwood, is showing at the Blue Room, Northbridge. This Mythophobic Production is part of the 2008 City of Perth Winter Arts Festival. It is showing nightly at 6.30 pm, with some extra late shows (9.15 pm) at the weekends until 12^th July.

            Holiday resort, Rusalka Lake lodge, lost its popularity when a woman was found drowned. Ten years later, something has made Sophia (Skye Sobejko) return to what is now a dank and crumbling hotel, run by mad scientist Freya (Oda Aunan) and her trusty partner, Nikolai.

           On her arrival, Sophia meets her best school-friend Imogen (Jo Morris), now an established author, who is there to recover from receiving the letter from Hell. Will the two women be safe in this establishment? Can they escape?

In a zany way, ‘The Rusalka Thread’ weaves together East European folklore, detective mystery and romance. It is the latest very funny work from writer director Jeffrey Jay Fowler, whose previous credits include ‘Zen's Red Mouth’ and ‘Hope is the saddest’ (Winner, 2006 Blue Room Members' Choice Award). Again, Jeffery blends many theatre skills and he is never scared to try something new. The idea and construction material of Amanda King’s set is inventive and effective. Chris Issacs’ quality lighting and sound effects enhance the creepy atmosphere.

Mythophobic Productions have set themselves a high standard – did they do it again this time? Definitely! If you enjoyed films like ‘Shaun of the Dead’, ‘Young Frankenstein’ and you can laugh at the humour of Marty Feldman and the acting in ‘The Days of Our Lives’ you will love this.