Make a Good Impression (TimeSlip)

Who Invited Them Based on the film written and directed by Duncan Birmingham Adapted for the stage by Remy Sisk Directed by Charlie Meredith Review by Kate Barry

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Somewhere in the Hollywood hills, a married couple hosts a dinner party. An assortment of friends, coworkers and neighbors stop by. But what about that mysterious couple? Who are they? Who Invited Them is TimeSlip Theatre’s first production after a two year hiatus. And this production has laughs and tension to spare.

Originally a film by Duncan Birmingham, which can be found on Shudder or AMC+ streaming platforms, the play translates well to the stage. Using a huge and sleek house in Los Angeles, the set has many details to emphasize the life of a normal married couple with something to prove. A record collection, a bar stocked with bourbon and other spirits as well as giant screen in the middle of the stage that serves as a window and other more surreal moments throughout the show. Lighting design by Jesse AlFord and Director Charlie Meredith’s sound and projection created a full vision for this little known movie turned play. The visuals are flawless, the midnight lighting and various noises create the right amount of creepy ambiance.

The script takes copious amounts of cues from B-movies, the thriller and horror genres with a few nods to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf thrown in for good measure. Without giving much away, we are told about an urban legend involving death of family members and the unknown whereabouts of the family. Bailey Preston and Bryce Woodard are a trendy couple, Margo and Adam. Desperate to make good impressions in their new digs, Preston and Woodard bring performances that are humorous with lots of secrets to uncover. Woodard’s Adam leans into his awkward one liners for comedic effect. His performance of Adam shows a person who wants to impress and succeed yet his insecurities lay just beneath the surface. Preston’s Margo takes advantage of a rebellious streak in hopes to hold on to something she feels is long lost.

The play keeps a heightened sense of tension going with a steady momentum. As Tom and Sasha, Zach Hurley and Sara Bell are sleek, cunning and charismatic in chic, black outfits. Feeding into Margo and Tom’s incessant need to impress, Hurley and Bell are darkly delightful as they twist the action into disturbance and deception. Working as a pair, Hurley and Bell are unwavering and cool as they brainwash and toy with Margo and Adam. Their confident presence create moments of comedy as Adam begs for their guests to leave. Which naturally, they do not.

The play includes a side story involving Margo’s friend Teeny, played by Shelby Allison Brown. Lost in a neighborhood and trekking a hill, Brown gives a memorable performance of the friend who is not impressed with fancy new houses. Whether she’s describing what she’s wearing to her boyfriend, or yanking out pepper spray in defense of something that may or may not be there, Brown’s scenes as Teeny bring some much needed lighter fair to the dark comedy.

Who Invited Them has plenty to keep you guessing. And it is certainly an entertaining work about social class and expectations within those parameters in which we place ourselves. TimSlip Theater’s production has plenty of satire and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Who Invited Them TimeSlip Theatre Friday, August 29, 8PM Saturday, August 30, 8PM Sunday, August 31 5:30PM Thursday, September 4 8PM Friday, September 5, 8PM Saturday, September 6, 8PM Henry Clay Theater 604 S 3rd Street Louisville KY 40202 https://www.timesliptheatre.org/