Credit: Otilia Dragan/Chronicle.lu
On the evening of Wednesday 24 April 2024, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to sit in on the dress rehearsal performance of the Pirate Productions company’s latest musical drama, Thirteen, at Centre Culturel Hollerich in Luxembourg-Hollerich.
Thirteen is a spooky comedy show for the entire family, written and directed by Neil Johnson. A widowed mother and her three children and nanny move from London to begin their new lives in a small village on the Cornish coast. They inherited a beautiful old mansion, but the village seems too boring for the taste of one of the three siblings until he finds out there may be more to it than meets the eye. Strange, frightful things happen at night and locals whisper about the house being haunted.
In a colourful and joyful, but also spooky atmosphere, it soon becomes clear that some of the villagers are not as trustworthy as they appear. The new school’s headmaster is strange, the three ladies from the neighbourhood are saying unexpected things and the nanny is newly acting differently, as well. Something sinister is brewing, while the family is trying to come to grips with their new life.
The musical elegantly switches scenes and settings (with great attention to detail) and each character has a distinctive life and character of their own. It is a joy to watch and discover the unravelling mysteries and the many kooky characters, songs and dances. Some songs are particularly fun, as they are modified yet still recognisable versions of hits by Stevie Wonder, Blondie, The White Stripes, Britney Spears, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and more.
The songs and scenes are truly diverse, with various genres and happenings for a wide public to enjoy: from family and love songs to disco dances, dramatic tension and frightening moments, there is something in it for everyone. At the very end, all is revealed down to the very last detail (even the musical's title).
The opening night will take place on Thursday 25 April, with additional performances scheduled for Friday 26 and Saturday 27 April at 19:30. Two more performances will take place at the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday 28 April at 15:00. Tickets cost €23 (€13 for students) and reservations can be made via the website https://www.pirateproductions.lu/Public/Booking1.php, via tel.: 356-339 or mail: tickets@pirates.lu.
