[EVENT REVIEW] Victorian Horror Stories in the Dark, Los Angeles, Ca
There’s something to be said for an experience that can successfully draw on the natural history and atmosphere of its backdrop. And Victorian Horror Stories in the Dark did just that.
Held at the Los Angeles Heritage Square Museum from May 16-18, Victorian Horror Stories in the Dark - presented by Terrifying True Stories - fell somewhere in between immersive theatre and haunted house (times four).
While the emphasis was focused on the storytelling, there were a handful of startles and jump scares to varying success along the way. Performers were drabbed up to the Victorian fashion era, albeit with the addition of familiar horror makeup of today.
The homes too – already impressive and somewhat foreboding in their own right – were also a treat. The collection of Victorian mansions and architecture was a topic of conversation amongst patron and performer alike, offering a historical and educational element to the show. Without a doubt, the setting was one of Victorian Horror Stories’ biggest strengths.
The evening began in the Witch’s Circle, where host Salem set the tone with a combination of storytelling, flourish, and carny flair. From there, the group was split up between four houses and a haunted trail.
Each house told a different story, not connected to the others. Throughout the night, guests would peruse mysterious artifacts from the estate of late explorer Cornelius Forsythe, witness the tragedy of a vampiric love triangle, join a constable in his investigation into reported disturbances at the home of reclusive widow Eleanor Sheffield, and listen to the ramblings of eccentric professor Dr. Blackwood, consumed by his research on the Spring-Heeled Beast.
Lastly, the lantern lit trek down the property’s dark pathway tells more familiar tales of La Llorona and El Silbon.
Admittedly, the whole experience bordered on cheesy at times, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While some stories were ultimately campy, others balanced nicely with a little more serious tone and delivery. Ultimately, the show landed similarly to that of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark book series; you weren’t necessarily going to run out screaming or have any nightmares over what you saw, but you might have felt a faint chill down your spine or trickle of unease during a particular scene or monologue.
According to Terrifying True Stories’ website, Victorian Horror Stories is just one of a few different immersive shows that are put on. However, it is unclear when and what the next performance will be.
In the meantime, Terrifying True Stories can be found as a podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast apps, as well as at their website, www.terrifyingtruestories.com.
Words and photos by: Alex Dominguez
