The Highgate Vampire is a high-energy, knowingly silly take on a peculiar slice of London folklore, delivered with confidence and a clear sense of its own comic identity. From fairly early on, it becomes obvious this is a dark comedy first and foremost and any expectations of gothic jump scare horror moments, or creeping menace are quickly replaced by something much more playful and riotous.
Presented by Bag of Beard Theatre, the show carries all the hallmarks of their stripped-back, mischievous style. With minimal staging and just two performers on stage, the focus is firmly on storytelling, physical comedy, sound, and the dynamic between the actors. Framed as a lecture that gradually unravels, the structure allows the piece to toy with authority, misinformation, and ego, while having fun with the strange mythology surrounding the so-called Highgate vampire. The performers James Demaine as Daniel Farringdon, a tobacconist by day and vanquisher of the undead by night and Alexander Knott who plays Patrick Sheffield a demon-hunting priest and sworn enemy of Farringdon, are very much the engine of the show. They have excellent chemistry and an easy confidence with each other, and much of the humour comes from their interaction rather than the material alone, the interruptions, the mild competitiveness, the moments where one seems to slightly derail the other for comic effect.
By the midpoint, it feels less like watching a narrative unfold and more like being carried along by the rhythm of their relationship, which is where the show is at its strongest. A special shout-out has to go to Knott, who for me really shone. His energy is infectious, his presence commanding. The sheer physicality of his performance, the sweat, the way he navigates the meaty script without missing a beat, gives the show an edge and grounding amidst the chaos. He’s a force on stage, and it’s impossible not to be drawn into every moment he’s performing. Being in the round at The Cockpit makes this all feel immediate and intimate. You’re almost part of the action, watching the performers from every angle, catching tiny gestures and shared glances that might be lost in a larger space. The energy of the room the proximity, the slight chaos makes the actors’ presence feel even more compelling.
Bag of Beard Theatre’s collaborative spirit is evident throughout. The use of sound and music is inventive and often does more work than the set, and there’s a sense of theatrical playfulness that keeps the audience engaged. It feels handcrafted, with an enjoyment of live performance that occasionally tips into deliberate messiness. That said, the emphasis on banter and comic escalation sometimes comes at the expense of the story itself. Moments that might otherwise build atmosphere or tension are quickly undercut by another joke, and any sense of darkness is fleeting. For some audience members this will be part of the appeal, for others, it may leave the piece feeling a bit more sketch-like than satisfying as a whole.
Ultimately, The Highgate Vampire doesn’t want to frighten you. It wants to entertain you, make you laugh, which it did me, many times, and invite you into its peculiar world with a wink. If you enjoy off-beat theatre, odd corners of London history, and comedy that embraces chaos The Highgate Vampire is for you. An energetic and unapologetically fun evening and one that fans of Bag of Beard Theatre’s distinctive style will likely feel right at home.
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