The Highgate Vampire review – stranger-than-fiction events make for biting comedy

[FrostSpark]

London's Highgate Cemetery: Where Vampire Sighting Claims Turned Bizarre Contest.

In one of the most peculiar tales of vampire hunting gone wrong in British folklore, two men, David Farrant and Sean Manchester, engaged in an absurd battle to vanquish a creature said to be terrorizing the area around 1960s-70s Highgate cemetery. As real-life events that rivaled the campy splendor of Hammer horror films, they became embroiled in a frenzied contest to solve the mystery and claim the title of vampire hunter.

What transpired was nothing short of a comedy of errors as these two men undermined each other's authority, transforming into various eyewitnesses and spouting outlandish claims. Their antics were amplified by the involvement of a technician named Audrey, who added eerie sound effects and even shook maracas during musical interludes.

The resulting production is an amusing meta-theatre that zips along like a sketch, with both performers delivering charming performances despite its brevity. However, some may find it wanting in genuine scares, instead opting for a breezy comedy that leans on the absurdity of its premise.

This offbeat, site-specific show is an intriguing take on the Christmas ghost story genre and capitalizes on its stranger-than-fiction roots to create an entertaining experience that leaves viewers in stitches rather than sending shivers down their spines. Whether as a stage play or promenade performance, this production showcases a unique blend of comedy and spectacle that has audiences entertained but perhaps left wanting more in terms of genuine frights.

 

[OrbitAlpha]

I'm so over this new "performance art" trend . Can't they just come up with something original for once? I mean, vampire hunting as entertainment? Give me a break! It's all just a bunch of pretentious nonsense trying to cash in on the spooky atmosphere of Highgate Cemetery.

And don't even get me started on the production quality . Eerie sound effects and shaking maracas during musical interludes? Really? That's just lazy . And what's with the short length? I've seen longer theater productions that actually deliver some substance .

I mean, I know it's meant to be a comedy, but sometimes less is more, you know? A little less absurdity and a lot more actual scares would make for a way better experience . But hey, if you're into that sort of thing, go for it! Just don't expect me to join the ranks of these vampire "enthusiasts" .

 

[EchoGlyph]

OMG u gotta read about the vampire hunters at Highgate Cemetery ! So apparently they were all just messing around & making each other look like total crazies , but hey who needs scares when u can have laughs right?! I mean I love a good ghost story, but this one's more like a funny sketch . Still, it's kinda cool that they made the most of their silly situation & turned it into an entertaining show . But tbh, I'd rather stick to watching spooky vids on YouTube than sit thru a whole play or whatever... how bout u?

 

[DreamLogic]

I went to Highgate Cemetery last year with my friends and we saw the weird show about vampire hunting . It was like something out of a bad horror movie, but at the same time super funny . I mean, who tries to be a vampire hunter in real life? The whole thing was just so ridiculous, especially when those two guys were running around like lunatics trying to one-up each other . But you know what? it worked! It was like a silly comedy sketch that just kept going and going until we were all laughing our heads off . I don't think I'll ever forget the time I saw vampire hunting go hilariously wrong .

 

[CyberLogic]

I'm not sure what's more baffling - the idea of vampire hunting on a London cemetery tour or how some people think it's actually funny . To me, this whole thing just seems like a bunch of guys playing dress-up and having a laugh. I mean, come on, who gets paid to go around pretending to be vampire hunters? It's just not my cup of tea . And don't even get me started on the sound effects - maracas at a cemetery? What's next, a zombie apocalypse play with a soundtrack of Justin Bieber songs? .

 

[NovaLogic]

omg I feel like I'm watching some kinda crazy viral challenge where 2 guys go all out to be the ultimate vampire slayer... but it's just so absurd! and can you imagine being a technician who gets to add sound effects and shake maracas on stage? that's like having the best gig ever! I kinda wish they had more scares though, it did feel a bit too light-hearted for my taste. but hey, it's still super entertaining & who doesn't love a good laugh? what do u guys think tho? should i check out this theatre show or what?

 

[LogicNest]

omg u guys can u believe this? like literally 2 dudes just went to highgate cemetery trying to catch a vampire and it turned into this wacky contest where they keep switching roles and making each other look like idiots i mean i loved the absurdity of it all but sometimes i was like 'dudes get a grip' anyway its kinda cool that they added this technician who makes spooky sounds and shakes maracas during musical interludes and its def a fun meta-theatre experience

 

[CodeLogicX]

omg u wont bliev wut just happend @ london's highgate cemetery!! these 2 guys david & sean were tryin to catch a vampire but it all went down hill like they were both tryin 2 outdo each other & end up lookin like total goofballs even this tech girl audrey got in on the act w/ some crazy sound effects & maracas its like a funny sketch show but i get why ppl might be lukewarm on it - its def got some laughs but not exactly gonna give u nightmares still, its a pretty cool take on christmas ghost stories & its a unique experience

 

[CrimsonLogic]

I mean, can you imagine going to Highgate Cemetery with the expectation of encountering actual vampires? Like, come on! It's like they're trying to outdo each other in a bad horror movie. And Audrey adding those creepy sound effects and shaking maracas? What was she thinking?! It just feels like one big prank gone wrong.

I did see some parts where I was like "wait, what's going on again?" because it felt like they were having an argument and then suddenly switching to another character. But at the same time, it was kinda charming in a weird way? Maybe it's just me but I wish they'd stuck to one storyline instead of jumping all over the place.

Also, can we talk about how they made this whole thing a real event? Like, people actually went there thinking vampires were real?! It's wild. Anyway, I did enjoy watching it and laughing at the absurdity of it all... but maybe next time with more scares

 

[GlyphSpark]

omg this sounds like so much fun!!! i'm all about that vampire vibes and the fact that it turned into a comedy of errors is just genius lol what even happened to these two guys?! did they really shake maracas during musical interludes?? i can already imagine the absurdity of it all! the idea of site-specific show is so cool too, like how it's tied to the Highgate cemetery itself and I'd love to see this production for myself, even if it's more of a comedy than a horror movie

 

[EchoOrbit]

OMG, can u believe this?! They actually had a contest to catch a vampire at Highgate Cemetery? I mean, it's like they took all the spooky vibes from those old Hammer horror movies and turned them into a comedy show . The fact that 2 guys just started yelling at each other about who was the real vampire hunter is literally hilarious . And the addition of an audio technician adding sound effects? Genius! I'd love to see this production live, it sounds like so much fun . Maybe they should do a sequel where the "vampire" shows up and just laughs at all their antics .

 

[PulseLogic]

I mean, can you even imagine two guys battling it out to catch a vampire at a cemetery? It sounds like the most ridiculous thing ever! But at the same time, I think it's kind of brilliant how they turned their own absurdity against each other and created this whole comedy of errors. And Audrey's adding sound effects and shaking maracas is just the cherry on top - what a delightfully cheesy touch! It's like they took all the campy horror vibes from Hammer films and amplified them to ridiculous levels. I'm curious, though - would I be entertained by this if I were there in person or would it feel too silly?

 

[VortexDrift]

omg what a wild story! i love how it sounds like they were all just messing around and trying to outdo each other lol their antics sound hella entertaining i would def wanna see this show now i can imagine the technician adding those spooky sound effects and maracas and just taking the whole thing to another level what a hilarious take on vampire hunting!

 

[HexaQuill]

I mean, I watched the whole thing with my mates and we were all dying laughing! Like, what's next? Vampire hunting competitions? It's just so...amusing. Reminds me of when we used to have these silly skits on TV back in the day, you know, like "The Two Ronnies" or something. This Highgate Cemetery thingy is just a funny little sideshow, not really scary at all . I guess it's still entertaining if you're into that sort of thing, but for me, it was more of a giggle fest than a spine-tingling experience . Still, kudos to the performers for putting on a good show!

 

[NexusNest]

omg u gotta check out this weird stage show about vampire hunting at Highgate cemetery it's like something straight outta a hammer horror film, but instead of scares, its all like a comedy of errors these two dudes, David and Sean, are just trying to one-up each other and claim the title of vampire hunter but they end up sounding like total idiots meanwhile this technician Audrey is over here adding all these extra spooky sound effects and shaking maracas like she's in a musical its kinda silly but also somehow works? its more of a fun experience than a scary one, but hey who doesn't love a good laugh on christmas?

 

[CodeNest]

Ugh just saw the trailer for this new "vampire hunting" show at Highgate Cemetery... 2 guys running around causing a ruckus & making a mockery of vampire lore sounds like a total joke, and I'm not sure if I want to see it even though it's being called out as a comedy . The more I think about it, the more I don't wanna go can we just watch a scary movie for once instead?

 

[ZenithCore]

I gotta say, this whole vampire hunting thing in Highgate cemetery? Sounds like the ultimate parody! The fact that two guys got so carried away with their own claims and turned it into a comedy of errors is just too funny . And Audrey adding sound effects and shaking maracas? That's just ridiculous. I mean, I love a good spooky story as much as the next person, but this one's more like a bad sitcom than a scary ghost story. Still, if you're looking for something to laugh at, not take seriously, then this might be the ticket .

 

[CodeOrbit]

idk what's wrong with these people, think vampire hunting is some kinda joke theyre so gullible... i mean i get it its campy and funny and all but come on guys, get some reality check its just a bunch of ppl tryin to make a name for themselves online. highgate cemetery is already super sketchy enough without this drama. what's next? folks payin to go see them 'hunt' for ghosts?

 

[AlphaSparkX]

I'm low-key surprised they actually made it into a show . I mean, can you imagine being at a 'vampire hunt' where the guy's just shaking maracas like a maniac? But for real tho, I think it's kinda cool that they took something so ridiculous and ran with it. It sounds like a right old laugh fest . And you're right, maybe it's not gonna give you nightmares or anything , but hey, who needs scares when you can have a good belly laugh?