Grand Guignol comes to Northwest Indiana on Labor Day Weekend when Beatniks on Conkey presents “Fantome: An Evening of Ghosts and Gore,” two one-act plays that center on the macabre and the supernatural. The first play, “Chop-Chop! Or, The Guillotine,” was written in 1906 by Eugene Heros and Leon Abric. The second, “Crossing Over,” is a murder mystery and spoof of paranormal reality shows written by local actor and writer Laura Mazzuca Toops, who is directing both plays.
Grand Guignol was the French “theatre of horror” popularized in Paris during the turn of the 20th century, characterized by plots centering on the bizarre and macabre, and frequently featuring gory special effects. But Beatniks audiences are in store for more laughs than horror, Toops says.
“Although our first play is an actual Grand Guignol period script – and stars a guillotine -- there’s no blood and gore,” Toops says. “’Chop-Chop’ is more of a fin de siècle French sex farce, with a surprisingly kinky subtext that lends it a truly modern feel.”
The second play, “Crossing Over,” is a contemporary comedy featuring a team of zany paranormal researchers trying to one-up each other and solve a 100-year-old murder – totally unaware of the ghosts themselves, who are are right in their midst.
“Fantome” features a talented cast of local actors from Hammond, Griffith, Highland, Munster, Whiting, Schererville, Lansing, and Miller Beach – many of whom are familiar faces to Beatniks audiences.
“Since the actors are playing dual roles in two very different plays, they’ve got to be very versatile – and they truly rise to the occasion,” Toops says. “I’m especially impressed with the talent and dedication of our teenage actors, who bring an impressive maturity to several very multi-faceted characters.”
“Fantome” runs Friday, Sept. 3 and Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Beatniks on Conkey, 420 Conkey St., Hammond. Due to limited seating, reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets are $15, cash only at the door. Doors open a half-hour before curtain, and all COVID-19 precautions will be followed. For more information, go to www.Beatniksonconkey.com or call Beatniks at 219-852-0848.