It’s clear that English Gothic folklore is defining the horror genre as of this minute and its newest addition is a well-crafted production with a lot of heart. Nestled upstairs in the playhouse of the Old Red Lion, Kat Munroe’s and Eleanor Dunlop’s The Notion of Recompense feels like a secret kept from the outside world.
This folkloric production crafts a small but haunting world that is bound to appeal to anyone who resonates with the films of Robert Eggers. Set in a medieval village, the story follows a woman navigating her return to domestic life after having been transformed into an owl by a witch. Tragedy and grief gradually embroil the rest of the village, particularly its young girls. The play grapples with a lot of material, wrestling between generational trauma, witchcraft and grief. As for which theme rises above the surface, it’s difficult to know for sure.
The play centres around a dining table, a site of tension, bonding, laughter and ultimately death. Transformation pulsates throughout the play and extends to the staging’s transformation of the space. Lighting and sound combat the spacial restrictions, carving out depth and dimension from a relatively cramped environment. Amy King’s sound design is finely tuned to the demands of every scene.
My favourite scene is where Elin (Emma Kirrage) who is struggling to adapt to life post-transformation, shares a piece of bread with her former lover, Thomas (Kieran Hatchett). The tenderness of this moment is most definitely accomplished because of Mimi Browne’s dynamic lighting. Tender moments also emerge in the playful squabbles between Madge (Dorothea Jones) and Gertie (Sapphire Stutchbury) which provide much needed bursts of humour and a great contrast to the darker and more intense scenes.
Kirrage’s performance is a definite standout, embodying animalistic traits with shrill cries and writhing movements. Barefoot and constantly on edge, Kirrage is such a delight to watch. However, parts of Ellin’s story, particularly her damaged relationship with her father, are at times difficult to resonate with given the other strands interspersed throughout the play.
The Notion of Recompense has given itself a difficult task of balancing the experiences of multiple characters within the confines of an hour. Infanticide and sexual assault are all weighted themes, but I felt as if I wasn’t given the time to understand their consequences. The abrupt ending, though powerful, left me confused as to what I should take away.
A Notion of Recompense teaches a valuable lesson in technical transformation. While the 60-minute runtime is perhaps not long enough to properly delve into the themes touched upon, the production is an intimate and haunting experience that is worth a watch.
Reviewer: Naina Sidhu
Reviewed: 14th October 2026
North West End UK Rating:
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