As someone who became an instant fan of the Silence of the Lambs the first time I saw the film, this show piqued my curiousity on title alone. How does one person retell such a gripping thriller as a solo performance? I decided to find out!
Starring Michael Kinnan
Movie music begins and a projector shows credits and it’s all Michael Kinnan. His name over and over which elicits some chuckles.
The opening scene is him as Clarice Starling running around the stage during FBI training.
To those very familiar with the film, it feels exactly that, familiar. I feel like someone who hasn’t seen it in a very long time/didn’t watch it repeated times could feel a little lost. (So a heads-up if you plan to take along someone in that category)
Distinctive Voices
What I don’t think anyone would feel lost on is when a different character is speaking. Michael Kinnan does a very good job of using distinctively different voices and cadence for different characters. Even those unfamiliar with the film wouldn’t confuse Chilton for Clarice.
Rather than this leaning heavily into the silly and camp, it lands somewhere in the middle.
The face biting scene was done with a pillow mannequin and that made me laugh, and there were some chuckles at some scenes like famous ciannti line, and the creative way he recreates the fingers touching when handing over the file moment. These and some other moments were fun but the show doesn’t feel silly overall.
As far as making it deeply emotional in some scenes, there are built in limitations of this being a one man show. Michael is clearly a talented and capable actor but one person can’t switch between Katherine literally sobbing to Buffalo Bill’s anger in an instant. However he does portray the anger characters well.
His Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill voices are excellent and has the right kind of creepy vibe for each character.
Ends With Lots of Applause
The props used are minimal but they are effective and some are creative too. The sound and lights are simple but well used, rightly keeping the focus on the man of this one man show.
The number of the audience members giving a standing ovation is a testament to Micheal’s performance and that there is certainly and audience for this show. If you’re a serious Silence of the Lambs fan, it’s worth checking out!
Review: Goodbye Horses an Unauthorised Retelling of Jonathan Demme’s The Silence Of The Lambs, Fringe 2026
Summary
The number of the audience members giving a standing ovation is a testament to Micheal’s performance and that there is certainly and audience for this show. If you’re a serious Silence of the Lambs fan, it’s worth checking out!
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