Review: The Ritual, Fringe 2025

Birdy hadn’t heard anything about the ‘cult’ of The Ritual when she decided to get herself along to the Banshee Labyrinth… but now, she understands. Uh-oh!

Uh-oh! I’ve waited with my placeholder token, and I’m the first to go down the dark stone stairs and be welcomed by the charming Miles, before making my way down to the front row for The Ritual.

Vibe

I haven’t a clue what to expect, but when Gregor (Gregory Lass) comes out and starts banging the drum with many polite ‘welcomes’, I get myself ready for an hour of unhinged vampiric comedy.

Things are about to get… SPOOKY!

The show itself

Steffen Hånes shines extravagantly (but not in a Twilight way) and vivaciously as The Master, whose entrance is very VERY important to him! He needs the SPOOKY lights, the SPOOKY music et al. and he’s going to show you exactly what he intends to do – and if you forget, he’ll show you again!

The show has a decent amount of repetition comedy, which in my experience can be a bit hit or miss. In The Ritual‘s case, it’s a big hit, and the show builds with some charming, hilarious additions – including when The Master transforms into a toy bat which then makes its way through the audience.

I really enjoyed the dynamics between Gregor and The Master, and one of the highlights for me was when the lights were out, and we were all sitting in the dark with The Master repeatedly shining his torch on Gregor. “But oh no! Lights out – where did Gregor go? There he is!” His slightly goofy vampiric grin every time the light shone back onto his face just really tickled me.

Overall

I had such a good time at The Ritual – it’s exactly the right vibe of show to be held at The Banshee Labyrinth, and… uh-oh! I’d definitely go back and see it again.

If you’re a fan of What We Do in the Shadows, I’d definitely recommend it – that’s the kind of silly vampire vibe I get from The Ritual – and one of the best things I’ve seen at PBH’s Free Fringe so far this August.