REVIEW: Ghosts from a Perfect Place at the Arcola Theatre

This month, and until 11 October, the innovative Arcola Theatre in Dalston presents Sarah Stribley’s production of Philip Ridley’s Ghosts from a Perfect Place. This is quite literally an explosive new production, as the playwright from East London gives us a story of fire, flames, and the burning scars that ghosts from the past can leave behind.

The two acts are incredibly different, which makes this play very exciting. In the calm Act I, we are introduced to Torchie, who’s lived in London’s East End all her life and is waiting for her granddaughter Rio to come home, and Travis, who is about the same age as Torchie. Behind his glamorous appearance and stories, he makes us uneasily wonder why he is also waiting for Rio in this old deteriorated kitchen. Later, the explosive Act II reveals that Travis, who was a feared gang leader over 30 years ago, finds himself threatened by a whole new gang breed and faced with his ghosts. Rio, a beautiful blonde gang leader dressed in gold and obsessed with fire, as well as her two “Disciples”, will try to make sure he regrets those he hurt.