I was already a little too old for Elf on the Shelf when it made its startlingly popular debut on store shelves. However, based on Phil Rickaby’s Christmas horror play It Sees You When You’re Sleeping, that might not have been such a bad thing after all. Produced in association with everyone’s favourite spooky company Eldritch Theatre and performed their house of haunts, the Red Sandcastle Theatre, It Sees You When You’re Sleeping is a gripping and frightening tale that’ll have you thinking twice about what little entities you’re bringing into your home.

Phil Rickaby plays a father who has recently lost his wife, Michelle. Their daughter Susan, who’s 8, keenly feels the loss of her mother, particularly around the holidays. This year, she’s asked for an Elf on the Shelf (or something like it for copyright purposes). Though initially sceptical, the Dad gives in, and buys the seemingly innocent little elf. What starts out as a bit of fun for Susan and her father quickly becomes something more sinister as her elf, Milo, begins to make his presence known. Highjinx ensue, both merry and otherwise, as Milo’s influence grows.

I knew this was going to be a spooky play going into it, however what I wasn’t prepared for were the discussions of grief, particularly around the holidays, which this play engages with. This is a refreshing and grounded look at what the holidays are like for so many of us: fond but also hurtful reminders of those we miss and love. The way that the father’s voice catches and he can rarely finish a sentence when he wants to talk about Michelle is such a clear indication of the hurt which has barely begun to heal. I really enjoyed this element to the story, as it gives this spooky horror tale a sense of reality and grounding.

Phil Rickaby

I was also thrilled to see that some slight of hand magic was incorporated into this show! It’s an element of the Eldritch Theatre shows which I’ve come to eagerly anticipate and it was wonderful to see Rickaby include it in his performance. It also fits in perfectly with the theme of this mischievous little elf and all of the trouble he’s causing.

Rickaby’s performance is fantastic, taking the audience through all of the highs, lows, and terrors he’s written. I can totally see how this would have worked as an audio drama, yet I love that my first interaction with it was as a stage play. Seeing Rickaby fully perform this piece is marvellous, and you can tell he’s having a great time as he winds his way through the audience and the space to create this spine-tingling atmosphere.

I can’t say for sure if It Sees You When Your Sleeping is fully grounded in the truth; so many folks seem to enjoy the shenanigans of their little elves. What I can say for sure though, is that I definitely had my Presto card when I went into that theatre, and it wasn’t anywhere to be found when I went looking for it the next morning. I’m not saying it was Milo, but I’m also not ruling out some elvish mischief. Rickaby’s show is a great reminder of what Christmas is about: family, love, traditions, and getting rid of pesky magical beings.

It Sees You When You’re Sleeping has its final performance on December 22nd. For more information and tickets, visit: https://eldritchtheatre.ca/sleeping/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaEevpn67PiHXS13M7DkbVVX80R3OQcZ5sSuSca4w6NhtbcdyY2ChMuWjI_aem_bSsydEJNXbmFkHdNgTwSBw

Cover Photo provided by Phil Rickaby

Head over to my podcast page to listen to my interview with Phil about It Sees You When You’re Sleeping!

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