Dark Adventure Radio Theatre® - The Horror in the Museum

Lovecraft’s “collaborative” works (often a euphemism for “ghost-written”) have long enjoyed a mixed reputation, including, for those prepared during his lifetime, by Lovecraft himself. This can make such stories harder to find in print now; still less commonly in versions with the detailed scholarly notes his solo fiction has attracted. When I finally read “The Horror In The Museum”, I wondered what its stated author, Hazel Heald, had contributed, since the work reads in parts like a museum of Lovecraftiana, as expressed and expanded by Lovecraft and others in period magazines such as “Weird Tales”, while in places, it has as much impact as some of Lovecraft’s better “solos”. In converting the lone-character narrative to a full-cast DART production, the HPLHS has reworked the story neatly, most especially in its introduction of a strong, appropriately female, protagonist, as a fine counterpoint to the enigmatic, Nyarlathotep-like character of Orabona (played here with obvious relish, not mere salad-dressing, by Amir Abdullah). In bringing the exhibition to Chicago from London (spoiler, if one telegraphed by the physical props), the tale becomes further expanded and open-ended in a way Lovecraft himself used to create fresh horror and uncertainty. The whole is a well-crafted presentation, so while the wax museum may have become a minor horror trope since Lovecraft wrote, this is a fresh take in a 1920s-period manner to be heartily recommended. Dram of Glen Lloigor with that?

The HPLHS has struck gold again with this adaptation of what is probably the best of Lovecraft's revision/ghost-writing jobs. Truly frightening, with a clever twist ending that will come as a real shock. The performances are all up to the Society's usual standard of excellence, and the props are great as well. Sure to please fans of Lovecraft and HPLHS's audio dramas.

Another awesome HPL recreation. Big fan of old time radio and these are the BEST thing since Inner Sanctum. Love every minute!

If you have read or listened to The Horror At The Museum, give this story a listen and be amazed at a great character cast who perform flawlessly. The props are well made and add an extra dimension to the story.

As always, the HPLHS has done it again. And it always jaunts me to another aspect of space and time, where Arkham is a real place, and a pleasant escape from the horrors of our so-called ‘reality.’ With Dark Adventure Radio Theatre, I’m able to descend into a world of magic and existential, cosmic terror that has been calling me for years. Well done, ladies and gentlemen, yet another masterpiece! May Mister Lovecraft bless you all!