Forkbeard Fantasy, maestros of comic cine-theatre, present a glorious, albeit strange and grotesque tribute to a century of film-making.
Villains trapped in film loops, a head which inflates to become a large projection screen and monsters evolving from a developing solution all feature in this show, perhaps inspired by the dreams of someone who has eaten cheese before bedtime.
Loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe's gothic horror of a not-dissimilar title, The Fall Of The House Of Usherettes is the tale of The Empire, a crumbling old cinema, and the Usherettes, three ghoulish sisters who are guardians of the ancient picture palace and its secrets.
Deep in the bowels of the Empire is a priceless hoard of Liquid Film, a long-defunct celluloid mixture once sprayed from specialist projectors which was formerly produced in the crusty old cinema's subterranean studios.
The stash is threatened by a tomb-robber from the National Film Archive in the guise of Bernard von Earlobe, who wishes to sell the precious asset for profit.
It's with inventiveness and technical innovation this surreal, gothic tale of the old picturehouse is told.
Founded in 1974 by brothers Chris and Tim Britton (who star in the play), Forkbeard Fantasy's trademark has been pioneering the mix of live stage action with film sequences, crossing the celluloid divide.
They have been making comic theatre with film for more than 30 years, gradually adding characterisation, wild mechanical sets, cartoons, gadgets and visual trickery into the everevolving mix.
This freakish comic book-style production is completely unique and wonderfully weird.
Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12.50 and £10, call 01273 709709.
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