The moment snow-blue lights illuminate the Rep’s stage and bodies begin to weave among the spindly tree trunks of a frozen forest, it’s clear the National Theatre of Scotland has arrived in Dundee with a masterful production.
Directed by John Tiffany (Black Watch, Macbeth for National Theatre of Scotland) with associate director Steven Hoggett, Let the Right One In is a mammoth collaboration with NTS, Dundee Rep and commercial producers Marla Rubin Ltd
and Bill Kenwright and it means business.
Christine Jones’ simple yet striking set design inspired by the Scandinavian-looking trees of Fife forest Tentsmuir is multifunctional, with cast members interacting with the trees, climbing frame and other minimal props in imaginative ways.
Playwright Jack Thorne, who adapted the original Swedish novel and screenplay by John Ajvide Lindqvist, has succeeded in retaining many of the iconic moments fans of the original movie will expect but at the same time injecting a much-needed dose of the humour and humanity arguably lacking in the 2008 cult film.
There is an emphasis throughout the production on a murder inquiry, making it all the more urgent that the hunters are also the hunted. And although the production is far from gratuitous, fans with a blood-lust won’t be disappointed.
Rebecca Benson is strong and steely as vampire Eli, betraying her “species” only a handful of times for some touching moments of emotion.
Making his professional theatrical debut, Martin Quinn’s portrayal of bullied schoolboy Oskar is endearing, witty and, above all, plausible.
Scenes of the brutal bullying he suffers at the hands of his classmates are as engaging as they are unsettling.
Lorraine McIntosh is convincing as Oskar’s worried mother, as continuing news of murders cause her to fall deeper into her own problems.
The supporting cast keep the production moving with effortless ease and Steven Hoggett’s trademark choreography adds a visual dimension to the conflicting emotions of fear, love, regret and panic all grappling for attention.
Eli and Oskar’s relationship is a slow burner, but through all the elements available to him from an excellent cast, striking lighting, haunting music by Olafur Arnalds and chilling sound effects, Tiffany succeeds in creating an on-stage intensity that is tragic and truthful as the production reaches it anticipated finale.
Let the Right One In runs until Saturday June 29. See www.dundeerep.co.uk for more information.