Photo credit: Shutter Studios- Left to Right: Kristen Da Silva, Gaelan Beatty and Kristi Woods
The best thrillers don’t just tell a story; they make you question everything you think you know.
That’s exactly what the world premiere of Deadly Memories by Steven Gallagher accomplishes at Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
From the opening moments, the production draws audiences into a suspenseful mystery that balances comedy with genuine tension, keeping everyone guessing until the very end.
The story follows Cassandra, who awakens after surviving a devastating car crash with no memory of what happened or who she can trust. As those closest to her try to piece together the past, audiences are invited to do the same. I won’t say more than that, because uncovering the mystery is part of what makes the experience so enjoyable.
What stood out to me immediately was the production’s technical design. The use of lighting and sound to create the play’s recurring thunderstorms is exceptional. Each crack of thunder and flash of lightning adds another layer of suspense, making the audience feel as though they’re trapped inside the mystery alongside the characters. Combined with the show’s eerie sound effects, the atmosphere is immersive from beginning to end.
The set deserves equal praise. Once again, Port Stanley Festival Theatre delivers a space that feels both realistic and theatrical. One particularly clever design element involves portions of the set moving to depict Cassandra’s haunting visions and fractured memories. It’s an effect that’s both simple and striking, adding to the unsettling tone without distracting from the performances.
As someone who’s become familiar with Kristen Da Silva through her work as a playwright, it was especially enjoyable to see her take the stage as an actor. After watching several of her plays come to life at PSFT, it was a fun change of pace to see her showcasing a different side of her theatrical talents alongside Gaelan Beatty (Wagner) and Kristi Woods (Juniper), who complete a strong three-person cast.
I also appreciated the multiple references to Port Stanley and Lake Erie woven throughout the script. Those local touches helped ground the story and gave the audience a few extra moments of connection with the setting.
One note for prospective audience members: the theatre’s advisory should be taken seriously. Deadly Memories features loud noises and frequent flashing lights, which play an important role in the production’s suspenseful atmosphere.
If you enjoy a mystery that keeps you second-guessing, Deadly Memories is a gripping world premiere that proves suspense can be just as effective on stage as it is on screen. It runs through August 15th, with tickets available at PSFT.ca.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
Please note that the views expressed in this piece are based on my own experience and opinion.
