Stylistic Stew Serves Up Hilarious Camp. 'The Mystery of Irma Vep' by Charles Ludlam. State Theatre Company of South Australia [review]

Abstract

If you were to feed the plot lines of Wuthering Heights, The Wolf Man, The Mummy’s Curse and Rebecca into a blender and spin at high speed, the result might well be The Mystery of Irma Vep. This theatrical tour de force for two was first performed in 1984 by playwright Charles Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theater Company and became the surprise New York hit of that year. Subsequently, it has become one of the most frequently performed plays in the US.