Father of Lies – Sweet Novotel

If you like an unexplained tale with a hint of witchcraft, then this show may keep you happy. Father of Lies tells the true story behind a mysterious, unsolved murder in West Germany in 1973. The show includes haunted priests, jealous widowers and satanic cults. Sounds exciting, but it is a simple lecture with slides and some re-enactments of scenes from the story. The two performers begin by asking the audience about their beliefs, hitting gold with one person who not only had stories, but photos on her phone. As a gentle introduction it was fine, but my cynical self after the show saw it as a way to spin out their thin tale to fill an hour. (Nearly)

I heard another audience member say “just a list of names and places, and those maps – so much detail but they didn't show us where”. It was a convoluted tale which was not particularly served by large detailed maps of Germany which they showed but did not use to outline places or journeys. Visual aids are only aids if there are used – it is not enough to flash them up simply to change the wallpaper behind the actors.

The performers are personable enough, though not great actors. The show is diverting but lacks thrills and the horror they wish so hard to convey.

Derek Benfield