Sabbaton updates Lovecraft thriller for Buxton

Published: 15 June 2024
Reporter: Steve Orme

Michael Sabbaton in The Temple

Michael Sabbaton, a Buxton Fringe regular, is to revive H P Lovecraft’s “classic chiller” The Temple at the Derbyshire festival.

It is ten years since the play was unveiled. Adapted, devised and performed by Sabbaton, The Temple was written by Lovecraft in 1920. Featuring new material for this anniversary showing, this “immersive production captivates with chilling performance and mesmerizing soundscape”.

The story is set in 1917. When a strange, ivory, carved head comes into the possession of the commander of a boat, it becomes cursed as it is drawn into a spiralling descent of dissension and madness. Nightmares, weird feelings and visions of dead sailors begin to haunt the crew. As the boat is pulled to the depths by an uncharted, underwater current, a demonic, siren song begins to drive the crew towards insanity and death.

Sabbaton said, “in theatre, everything is action. Everything is now. Everything is imagination. I believe there is no greater stage for a character actor and Lovecraft’s work.”

The Temple will be presented at the Drama Studio, Buxton Community School on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 and 10 July at 7PM.

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