After the End: ghost stories

This production by We Make Creatures included two short ghost stories at the Vancouver Police Museum, which is right beside the Firehall Theatre. After ascending the creaking stairs, the audience was ably introduced to the facility by Ashley O'Connell who served as the evening's host.  The audience was then divided into two groups.  One group viewed the play "Last Night" in one room while the other viewed the play "The Cold Room".  Each play lasted about the same amount of time and after seeing the first play, the two audience groups switched rooms and viewed the other play.  

In "Last Night" directed by Sebastian Kroon, police detective Eddie played by Rhys Finnick was working late at the office trying to re-activate an investigation to establish the death of his wife as a homicide.  The wife played by Susan Coodin visited him as a ghost and after some intense dialogue, the true circumstances of her demise and the relationship were revealed.  

In "The Cold Room" directed by Susan Coodin, the setting was the morgue facility where Frank, the young coroner played by Sebastian Kroon and his wife and assistant played by Roselle Healy work on a recently deceased women named Bonnie played by Hannah Johnson.  Frank found it easier to communicate with the ghosts of his subjects than with the living which greatly upset his wife, who also was able to communicate with Bonnie's ghost.  

The period costumes designed by Pandora Morgan, who was also the assistant director, the lighting and sound effects courtesy of Rhys Finnick and technical design by Kyla Gardiner worked well with the museum facility to establish the atmosphere for both plays.  While moving through the museum, the audience was able to view artifacts from old homicide cases in Vancouver's past which added authenticity to the overall experience.  This was a good production of special interest to fans of ghost stories or those just curious about what type of theatre can be effective in a police museum.

After the End is on as part of this year's Vancouver Fringe Festival. For more information check this out.