The Mystery of Irma Vep

Vampires, werewolves and mummies, oh my! Charles Ludlam’s hilarious “penny dreadful” spoofs horror movies, gothic mysteries, Rebecca, and just about everything under the sun, leaving audiences gasping for breath because they’ve been laughing so hard. It’s set in a spooky English estate that may or may not be haunted by the first wife of its owner Lord Edgar, an Egyptologist. In addition to Edgar, there are seven characters, including his second wife, a maid, a Cockney groundsman with a peg leg and assorted otherworldly creatures. They’re all played by two male actors who set records for quick costume changes. Both the New York Times and Time magazine named it as one of the best plays of the year when it debuted in 1984, with good reason. It’s a delightfully silly, madcap romp that guarantees a good time.