Going through puberty is hard enough as it is, forget about having all of those feelings while a succubus lives under your bed! Created and performed by Eric Woolfe, The Strange and Eerie Memoirs of Billy Wuthergloom, directed by Mairi Babb, is a relatable, spooky, musical, and magical journey in the not-so-average life of young Billy Wuthergloom.

The subtitle for the show describes it with such perfection that it’s worth directly quoting: “Eldritch Theatre’s coming of age, suburban-gothic, horror musical about puberty and the supernatural.” We meet Billy Wuthergloom just before his 8th birthday; he’s going to get to have a sleepover, like his best friends, but he’s very concerned about them staying over. You see, there’s something scary under Billy’s bed, he can feel it every night, and he’s pretty sure his trusty teddy won’t be able to defend seven or eight kids. Billy ends up befriending Hirskel Fischmacher (one of the best character names ever), and Hirskel is able to banish the succubus from under Billy’s bed. The two become fast friends, despite the social suicide it spells for Billy. We journey with them through high school and even into post-secondary life, as the strange things, both natural and supernatural, continue to trouble Billy.

The current staging of The Strange and Eerie Memoirs of Billy Wuthergloom is the 25th anniversary edition; this is the show that launched Eldritch Theatre, and the hallmarks of their shows are clearly visible in this production. The songs which begin and end the play are the same ones which Doc Wuthergloom serenades us with at his shows as well. Clearly these haunting tales of warnings have been passed down the Wuthergloom line to Doc’s great grand nephew. And of course, it wouldn’t be an Eldritch Theatre show without a mention of The Dread Necronomicon of the Mad Arab Abdul Alhazred; although I think this might be the longest that they’ve gone in a show before it’s mentioned. Though there’s less sleight of hand illusions than in other shows, the moments where they’re used are meaningful and as always, I was baffled and delighted by the magic tricks. I’ve been seeing shows by Eldritch Theatre since May of 2022, and it’s amazing to see where the things I’ve come to know and love about their shows began.

An element that I loved about this script was how clearly placed it was in time. References to “Battlestar Galactica”, “Star Wars”, and Micheal Jackson’s “Thriller” made it clear that this was happening in the late 70’s/early 80’s. The costume of the sideways cap, baggy jeans and band t-shirt completed the grungy aesthetic that Billy so desperately wants to have. The stereotype of the secret geek who wants to fit in with the popular kids works so well; when Billy starts hanging out with Hirskel, they get to actually have fun together because they share interests outside of the strange occult happenings which Billy’s experienced.

Eric Woolfe’s portrayal of Billy Wuthergloom is a refreshingly honest look at the transition from boyhood to adulthood. No subject is shied away from in this play, giving it a sense of reality in some areas which are in direct opposition to the otherworldly events occurring. As usual, Woolfe’s moments of improvisation delight me; there weren’t very many in the performance I saw, but the laughter he’s able to elicit with just a glare is a testament to his craft. Joining Woolfe on stage is Kathleen Welch performing Marc Downing’s original music live. The music varies from seemingly harmless ditties, to terrifying numbers about clowns (I’m not even afraid of clowns but now I think I might be!), and the two performers even at times compete with each other! Welch’s ominous presence in the corner of the theatre is keenly felt throughout the production.

There’s nothing that lifts my spirits more than a show from Eldritch Theatre. The Strange and Eerie Memoirs of Billy Wuthergloom falls in line with several conversations I’ve been having lately about how that time in your life feels as you look back on it. Don’t let the puppets fool you, this show is definitely for adults, but it certainly makes for a spooky night out at the theatre!

The Strange and Eerie Memoirs of Billy Wuthergloom runs at the Red Sandcastle Theatre until February 9. For more information and tickets, visit: https://eldritchtheatre.ca/billy/

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Cover Photo: Eric Woolfe. Photo by Matthew McLaren.

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