Skip to content

BAT OUT OF HULL (BRENDA AND EFFIE)

Written By:

Tony Jones
brendieeffiehull

AUDIO REVIEW: BAT OUT OF HULL (BRENDA AND EFFIE) / AUTHOR: PAUL MAGRS / PUBLISHER: BAFFLEGAB / STARRING: ANNE REID, CHRIS PAVLO, ALEX LOWE / RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 14TH

Bat Out of Hull gives us the second instalment of the Brenda and Effie Mysteries, following the story of elderly Effie and her neighbour, Brenda (whose own back story is no less mysterious than the adventures she has), who runs a Whitby B&B.

Following the events of The Woman in a Black Beehive, Brenda and Effie (read and performed by Anne Reid) are, of course, enjoying the entertainment at the Christmas Hotel. Tonight’s entertainment is a cabaret featuring the fading ventriloquist Barry Lurcher (Pavlo) whose act centres around the somewhat moth-eaten Tolstoy the Long-Eared Bat (Lowe). The evening’s entertainment takes a disturbing turn and soon Brenda and Effie are drawn into another mystery.

Before we can get comfortable with the characters and setting, the plot takes us to nearby Robin Hood’s Bay and, down a side street, a curious olde-worlde toyshop run by Mr Grenoble (Lowe). Events threaten to overwhelm our heroines and they must reach deep to fight off the forces of darkness.

Where the first episode introduced Brenda to Whitby but focussed on Effie, this story is almost entirely about Brenda and we find out more about her history though there is plenty more we don’t understand. Anne Reid tops her previous reading of the female characters and both are vividly realised under Simon Barnard’s direction. Pacing is good and some of the dialogue is rich and sensuous. The next episode can’t arrive too soon.

Where the first episode of the series was good, this is excellent. The prose sparkles, Anne Reid shines and the incidental sound adds magic to a great story. Roll on April and episode three!
 

SHARE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW OR ON TWITTER @STARBURST_MAG

Find your local STARBURST stockist HERE, or buy direct from us HERE. For our digital edition (available to read on your iOS, Android, Amazon, Windows 8, Samsung and/or Huawei device – all for just £1.99), visit MAGZTER DIGITAL NEWSSTAND.

CLICK TO BUY!

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

Tony Jones

You May Also Like...

Short SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER Halfway to Funding

We couldn’t resist the tagline of ‘You’ve heard of Elf on the Shelf, now prepare for Santa’s Little Helper’ and had to check out the Kickstarter for a new short
Read More

First-Look Images and Sizzle Reel for Disturbing Shocker CARA

You can now get your first look at the upcoming disturbing kitchen sink horror film CARA, directed by Hayden Hewitt (Lips) and starring Ellie O’Hara, Johnny Vivash, Laurence R. Harvey,
Read More
chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More