Horror has made a triumphant return in the last decade. Milly Blue and Jessie Maryon Davies (AKA Ghouls Aloud) are riding this wave, situating the self-isolated world of South London’s Elysium Court within the modern horror landscape. The artist duo use a spectacular combination of original music, humour and drama to tell a story of neoliberalism’s version of alienation.
Maryon Davies’ piano leads most of the instrumental elements of the performance. Through exceptional monologues and musical numbers, Blue guides us through the story of a young 30-something couple moving into the nature defying Elysium Court.
Each backyard of this gated community is “seeded” with astroturf. The women’s decision to rip it out causes all kinds of commotion in the neighbourhood. Upon replacing the astroturf with a vegetable garden, the couple experience intense effects to their physical and mental health that only the horror genre could create.
Beyond the fantastical effects the young couple face as residents of Elysium Court, the production also grapples with the repression the UK government is pursuing against activists who engage in direct action against the war machine. In creating a personal relationship between the women of Elysium Court and a college friend whose sister is an actionist facing terrorist charges, the plot communicates the UK government’s role in Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Blue and Maryon Davies’ production is a remarkable theatrical and musical exploration of personal relationships. Specifically how these social dynamics are impacted by the growing isolation society faces as technological alienation grips the 21st century.
Elysium, Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower, until 24 Aug, 12.20pm