'Let The Right One In' at West End's Apollo Theatre: Gore and visually striking scenes never light on human emotion ****

The National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Let the Right One In was presented in London at the Royal Court Theatre from November 2013. Following this, John Tiffany’s production of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel and screenplay was adapted by theatre director, Jack Thorne and transferred to the West End. 

Let the Right One In is an intriguing mix of childhood innocence, love and fantasy vampire stories yet in this cold-blooded production, it proves to be more than just a thrilling horror show. Audience members are treated to drama, fantastic contemporary music and scenes of unexpected shock. Yet they are also exposed to something even more refreshing that is not often observed in recent theatre shows but more in musicals: contemporary dance performances.  

Rest assured, viewers have plenty of opportunities to jump off their seats to gore and visually striking scenes however, the show itself is never light on human emotion: childhood innocence and loneliness are experiences we are all too familiar with which is perhaps why Let the Right One In received multiple positive reviews from critics and theatre newbies. 

Oskar (Martin Quinn,)  a young teenager is often bullied by boys at his school. A growing number of killings have been taking place in his neighbourhood, which the town is made aware of, yet against his mother’s (Susan Vidler) warnings, Oskar goes outside fearless. As he wanders and plays on his own, he meets Eli (Rebecca Benson), a girl who had just moved in next door. They develop a friendship, which blooms into a young puppy love, but as Oskar becomes closer to Eli he realises that she is more than just a girl – she feeds on blood.  

Benson exhibits the persona of Eli as a girl trying to understand herself in the body of a vampire. She sucks the blood of victims without thinking of the consequences but with Oskar she is entirely different. When Oskar offers to make a pact, he cuts his hand and offers it to Eli, which she aggressively pushes away from, fighting against her deeper vampiric appetites.

Benson gives a moving performance that makes her the centrepiece of the show. We see her adapt in various shapes and forms from a naïve girl to brutal murderer and monster, which send shivers down our spine. 

Quinn displays the woes of growing up as a teenager through Oskar who encounters being bullied, struggles with the notion of love and deals with abandonment. He accompanies Benson in showing childhood naivety in its purest form, which exudes moments of happiness, carefreeness and longing. 

Olafur Arnauld provides brilliant music to delightfully choreographed dances; dances which express feelings just as potent as words. Christine Jones manages to bring together a water tank onto the stage for a shocking death scene, which Eli manages without having to lift a finger. 

If you fancy being surprised and do not mind seeing plenty of blood spill, this show  should be on on your 'next theatre performances to see' list. I promise you won't get any nightmares either.  

Let the Right One In is showing until 30th August 
Click here to buy tickets from the Apollo Theatre now 
Or have a look at Nimax Theatre for more information

‘Sensational Butterflies’ - Catch a newly created butterfly tear itself out of its translucent chrysalis shell

‘Sensational Butterflies’ is the Natural History Museum’s exhibition which has bought together hundreds of tropical butterflies and moths from six continents, including Africa, South America and South East Asia, and situated them in one butterfly house for all to see. Luke Brown, manager of the butterfly house, was pleased with the diversity of butterflies that had flown in from all over the globe and hoped that it would give people a chance not only to immerse themselves in butterflies but, also, learn more about the butterfly's way of life. 

Since the butterfly house is home to tropical butterflies from the Blue morpho, from Central and South America, to the Swallowtail, from the Americas, the actual environment is humid - so, it is advised to take off jackets before entering. It is intensely colourful, filled with a variety of delicate flora and green plants, some of which can only be found in the tropics. 

Blue Morpho

The first sign at the entrance has the following rules: ‘If they land on you, don’t panic’ and ‘Please don’t step on them’ which is, perhaps, aimed at children who haven’t laid eyes on butterflies yet; some children may be more afraid of them (than willing to step on them) so be wary of random screaming. However, to adults alike, these creatures are quite picture-perfect, landing on your arm (as one landed on mine) and nonchalantly fluttering away in front of you.  

The exhibition educates and provides information on the four life stages of a butterfly: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and fully developed butterfly; the life cycle can range from a few weeks to an entire year of hibernation for some chrysalis. One of the fascinating parts of the butterfly house is the hatchery window that inhabits rows and rows of live pupae, which were hand glued to the hatchery from scratch. Viewers can see a various stages of metamorphosis taking place and may be lucky enough to see a newly created butterfly tear itself out of it’s translucent chrysalis shell.  

There are many interesting facts to pick up as you walk along the paths of the butterfly house. For example, did you know that caterpillars had 4000 muscles in their body? Or, that some caterpillars, such as Glasswing, ate certain poisonous and unappetising plants, including heliptrope leaves, in order to scare off predators?

Those interested in knowing more should keep an eye out for Owl butterflies drinking sugary liquids from oranges, butterflies mating and caterpillar eggs hidden underneath the dense foliage. Another interesting fact is that butterflies have five senses, just like humans, and they drum their feet on leaves to taste whether or not it's a suitable place to lay their eggs. Children have easy-to-read explanations of the butterfly’s life stages and can interact by collecting butterfly stamps as they progress in the path. 

There are other butterfly exhibitions provided such as, ‘A Night in the Jungle’ and the museum has set activities for school visits. Yet the butterfly house can also be a great option first dates.

Butterfly house exhibition is open until 26^th September

Please visit the NHM website for more information:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/sensational-butterflies/index.html