The year’s best staged production? Critical Acclaim for Melting Pot Productions’ Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity, one of the latest productions to come out of Melting Pot Productions, has earned rave reviews after recent performances at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles. This recognition not only celebrates artistic excellence but also validates the strategic financial planning, accounting and advisory services that made such ambition possible, a partnership we’re proud to support. Based on the Paranormal Activity films, the show was developed in the UK and opens in the West End early December.

One of the reviews by Charles McNulty of The Los Angeles Times describes the production as “brilliantly pulled off,” and highlights the show’s masterful use of scenic design, lighting, sound, video design, and illusion to create a deeply immersive and terrifying experience. The review applauds how these elements synchronise in a way that elicits strong emotional reactions, calling the staging a “technical tour de force”.

Patrick Heusinger (James) and Cher Álvarez (Lou) were as highly commended for their roles, noting their “unerringly authentic” portrayals and the real emotional stakes they bring to the supernatural narrative. Meanwhile, Levi Holloway’s writing is praised for its naturalistic dialogue, which grounds the horror in psychological complexity.

The review underscores the production’s thematic depth, highlighting explorations of mental health, belief, scepticism, and the fragile bonds between people. The piece suggests that Paranormal Activity could be one of the “year’s best staged productions”. 

Building a Track Record

These reviews affirm Melting Pot Productions’ technical ambition and creative risk, demonstrating that complex staging and illusion design can deliver both artistic and commercial rewards. Over the long term, with the enhanced reputation that these strong reviews help build, it provides a track record of success that supports sustainable financial planning and enables even more ambitious future projects.

The Role of Theatre Tax Relief

George Bradley of Friend Partnership comments that the continued success of companies like Melting Pot Productions highlights the impact of the UK’s Theatre Tax Relief (TTR), which has been pivotal in enabling bold productions like Paranormal Activity. By reducing financial risk, TTR empowers producers to innovate and allows them to compete globally, strengthening the UK’s cultural soft power globally. As advisers to Melting Pot Productions, we’ve seen first-hand how TTR supports sustainable growth and fuels the level of artistic ambition recognised in reviews like this one.

About Friend Partnership 

Friend Partnership specialises in financial management, accounting, and strategic advisory across multiple sectors including the creative arts. With a deep understanding of the theatre sector, discover how Friend Partnership can support your next production by contacting us today.