New Audio Drama a Must Buy
by Penny Dreadful
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*****MANY SPOILERS FOLLOW*****
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I put the CD in with some trepidation. After all, I was rather disappointed by the highly anticipated ¢â‚¬ËœReturn to Collinwood.' The characters and situations in that particular audio production didn't, in my opinion, accurately capture the characters and feel of Dark Shadows. I worried these new dramas might suffer from similar problems.
There was no need for worry because the new Dark Shadows audio drama, ¢â‚¬ËœThe House of Despair' is excellent.
The writing is very good. The classic Dark Shadows characters are spot on, and are accurately depicted through well-written dialogue and first-rate acting. Quentin here is world-wise but still sarcastic and stubborn. He is not the full blown hero as in ¢â‚¬ËœReturn to Collinwood', but a man searching for answers who is still haunted by his past sins and by his poor choices. Whereas Willie served as comic relief in ¢â‚¬ËœReturn to Collinwood,' here he is an anxious, troubled man who has seen too many horrible things in his lifetime. Maggie now owns the Collinsport Diner, which was bought with help from Roger in an effort to keep her quiet about the things she had seen at Collinwood. Maggie is weary and very insistent on staying far away from the Collins family. Angelique, ever untrustworthy, is very aware of her power and has some of the most frightening moments in the audio play. Her disturbing outburst when Barnabas is discussed offers dark insights into the witch's heart. She is still utterly obsessed with Barnabas Collins. The script offers characterizations which are very much in keeping with those of the classic series. It is easy to imagine the characters progressing in the manner depicted in ¢â‚¬ËœThe House of Despair.' The writer, Stuart Manning, has a clear understanding of the subject matter, and has a firm grasp on the various nuances of Dark Shadows.
The audio drama also succeeds in evoking the atmosphere of mystery, dread and impending doom which was a hallmark of classic Dark Shadows. Big Finish got it right, even down to the cliffhangers at the end of each episode. The sound effects, music (some of which is Bob Cobert's) and acting offer an ominous, Gothic picture of modern Collinsport. Collinwood, which has been taken over by evil forces, looms alone on the hill - presumably abandoned long ago by the missing present-day Collins family. Quentin, trying to unravel the mystery of his missing family, seeks aid from both Willie and Angelique.
The actors do an amazing job of once again inhabiting their original roles. John Karlen especially brings the neurotic, troubled Willie to vivid life once again. Indeed, all of the actors really shine in ¢â‚¬ËœThe House of Despair.' David Selby, Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott all succeed marvelously in recreating their original series roles, and portray the characters as if several unpleasant years have gone by in Collinsport.
New characters also fare well. The Collinsport residents are appropriately suspicious and frightened when Quentin strolls into the Blue Whale. Quentin, in turn, is appropriately flippant in response.
In Mr Strix , the audio drama gives us a supernatural being hitherto unseen in the ¢â‚¬ËœDark Shadows' mythos - a strix or striga, which is a mythical Roman being often depicted as an evil flesh eating bird. The final confrontation with character leads to revelations about the whereabouts of Barnabas Collins.
The role of Barnabas has been recast in the audio drama. While many might not approve of this, the change is explained nicely in the story. Barnabas has been given a new body in ¢â‚¬ËœThe House of Despair.' I admit to wishing I could have heard Jonathan Frid deliver Barnabas' lines. However, Andrew Collins does an admirable job of filling some very large and very important shoes in the Dark Shadows universe. The explanation given for the different voice in the story makes it much easier to digest and accept a new actor as Barnabas. Giving Barnabas a new body almost seems appropriate since Big Finish helped to keep Doctor Who alive. Doctor Who, of course, is well known for periodically changing bodies.
The final scene in ¢â‚¬ËœThe House of Despair' is perfect. We end with Barnabas, Quentin and Angelique, the original series' three most well-known and immortal characters standing together in the Old House. They are all that is left of the Collins family, and none of them really trust each other. Each of these characters is unpredictable and capable of being quite dangerous. The very fact that the writer kept this in mind shows that he knows and understands the source material quite well. I do wish we could have had Jonathan Frid in this final scene. I can't help that. Selby and Parker are great here, and it just seems right that Frid would be there with them. However, I can accept the change, especially since there is a legitimate reason for it within the context of the story.
I should also add that the reworking of Robert Cobert's opening title theme is wonderfully eerie. The combination of Cobert's themes with original music by Joseph Fox gives ¢â‚¬ËœThe House of Despair' a newness, while still allowing listeners to keep one foot firmly planted in the classic mythos.
¢â‚¬ËœThe House of Despair' succeeds where other Dark Shadows updates, remakes and continuations did not. It truly captures the elusive, peculiar feel of the original Dark Shadows. I recommend that all Dark Shadows fans pick up a copy of this audio drama. I think this is the best thing to happen to Dark Shadows in a long time. I hope that the rest of the audio dramas are as excellent as this one.
