© New Project Theatre 2012

In the depths of London’s smallest theatre, something dark is happening. The inmates are restless, the staff are scared for their safety, and as gruesome events unfold, one man is caught up in the legend of ‘the cat with hands’.

Based on the short film by Robert Morgan, The Cat With Hands is the disturbing tale of a creature compiled of stolen body parts, desperate to become human, and the site of its final victim – the mental hospital of Glory’s Hope. This is the debut production of New Project Theatre, original script written by Cesca-Jayne Spruce (who also plays Matron), Kat Emmans, and Nick Page, featuring new music by Aaron Evans, and placed inside the Etcetera Theatre in Camden.

Michael O’Neill was an unnerving narrator as the unusual Mr Johnson, the caretaker whose enthusiasm is borderline manic but his speech earnest and engaging. The hard-hearted and bottle-dependent Dr. Morgan (James Westbrook) descended into insanity from his apparently businesslike podium with a crumbling manner that signified the decay of the world around him without slipping into melodrama or farce. Two inmates were taken on by Grace Davis and Emma Glover, battling dramatic and disturbing ends that again were held with sincerity and confidence, next to the intimidating presence of Alai Naseer. Orderlies who become entangled in Mr Johnson’s tales (Carl Dolamore, James Docherty, Suzanne Knight) seek to make sense of the changing events around them but ultimately become too involved in this unravelling story of myth and reality, and all three saw steady and emotional performances.

The Etcetera Theatre is a tiny venue, keeping the audience as close to the action as possible without being on the stage itself, requiring real concentration and attention to detail from the actors. Yet despite some technical issues regarding volume, this production was an incredibly encouraging beginning for this new theatre company, and demonstrates the creativity of writing and talent of acting they have to offer. The eerie plotline, striking cast, and simple yet effective set made The Cat With Hands a true ghost story that left you guessing until the very end.

The Cat With Hands by New Project Theatre was a part of the Camden Fringe, which runs until the 26th August 2012. For more information visit www.camdenfringe.com.

Why does the kid proceed to pet the cat? We’ll never know.

A Halloween tradition! Spooky and unsettling fun by filmmaker Robert Morgan.

The Moon-Rays – Mr. Ghost Goes to Town

A Halloween tradition here at AEAE, this short film, directed by Robert Morgan, is super-creepy and atmospheric. Enjoy!

And of course, some music;

The Doors – People Are Strange

Echo & the Bunnymen – People Are Strange (from Lost Boys)

The Doors – Moonlight Drive

Artie Shaw – Nightmare (for a little big band eerieness.)

No, it’s not a photo, but it is an annual tradition on this blog come October; this wonderfully creepy little film is something I keep coming back to over and over. More info on the director, Robert Morgan, here.

I do have some music & clips for you, though. Let’s continue the vampire theme.

From the Lost Boys Soundtrack, Cry Little Sister.

The Dark Shadows Theme

Bela Lugosi as Dracula, talking about the children of the night

Darling Violetta – Angel The Series Theme

Nerf Herder – Buffy The Vampire Slayer Theme

And now, I’m off to go eat a bunch of junk food and watch Let the Right One In.

I posted this during October last year, so it may be “cheating” to post it again. But it’s so good and so creepy and there are people who come by here now that didn’t a year ago, so here it is.

As the blurb on the youtube page says, “Directed by Robert Morgan. More info on his films here.”

The Cat With Hands

This short, and intensely freaky stop-motion animation was directed by Robert Morgan of Animus Films. It was created in 2001, and has won six awards…

Here’s a piece from the latest Short&Sweet:

by filmmaker Robert Morgan.

3 minutes, 33 seconds of stop-motion creepiness. Enjoy.