From Screen to Stage: Let The Right One In
Swedish vampire flick Let The Right One In (or as purists might know it, Låt den Rätte Komma In) is one of our all time favourite movies here at Rooftop HQ, so when we heard it was hitting the West End we were there quicker than a vampire trying to dodge the sunrise.
Let The Right One In disregards almost every convention of the horror genre and garnered a cult following as a result. It wasn’t too long before Hollywood got its hands on the story – although the less we say about the English language version of the film, Let Me In starring Chloë Grace Moretz, the better.
So – what next for Let The Right One In? After the novel and not one but two films, it would seem the next logical step was to take the story to stage. Luckily, it fell into the capable hands of Jack Thorne who has adapted the romantic horror hybrid with the utmost reverence. You might know Jack Thorne from his televisual pursuits, working as a writer on programmes such as This Is England and Shameless – but he’s also an accomplished playwright and author to boot.
Let The Right One In follows reclusive teenager Oskar and his budding romance with the enigmatic vampire Eli. It’s a traditional coming of age love story with a fantastically macabre edge. Fans of the movie will be endeared by the clever ways in which the story has been adapted for stage. Conversely, those unfamiliar with the plot are sure to take to the unlikely yet tender relationship between Oskar (Martin Quinn) and Eli (Rebecca Benson).
The play is beautifully staged and features many well-sculpted physical theatre elements – a styling usually reserved for the fringes of the theatre world. It’s ambitious, dramatic and – at a couple of particular instances – damn right terrifying.
Watching Let The Right One In at the Apollo Theatre is a complete novelty – rarely is something so contemporary given a spot on the West End (next door to London’s longest running musical Les Misérables, no less!). From its cast of young actors and actresses to the experimental classical-come-electronic score by Ólafur Arnalds, everything about the stage show feels fresh and different to anything else you’re likely to see in Theatreland right now.
The nice folks behind the scenes of Let The Right One In have given us a pair tickets to give away to Rooftoppers. Tweet us over at @rooftopfilmclub with the hashtag #LTROI to win.
Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES.
Showing until 27th September, 2014.
Competition Terms and Conditions: Competition tickets for LTROI valid for Monday – Thursday performances before 2nd May 2014, tickets are non-refundable or exchangeable. Subject to availability. Winner will be picked at random at 4pm on Friday 18th April via Twitter.