By Cabrina Arthur –
When people think of Barter Theatre, they often know us through our longstanding history as the State Theatre of Virginia. They might think of holidays spent with loved ones in downtown Abingdon, or perhaps beloved summer musicals that beckon them back to our stages year after year. But what many people don’t know is the version of Barter that comes forth when the leaves begin to change, when the nights become a little longer and a lot more spooky.
Here to help us celebrate the most spine-tingling time of the year was social media influencer Christy Evers, who you might know better as @northcarolinatravelerblog. After spending a weekend in Abingdon, attending our productions of Deathtrap and Murder for Two and exploring the many autumnal attractions our historic little town has to offer, we asked her what stood out to her most for those looking for thrills and chills of their own this Halloween.
“The ghost stories, of course,” Christy said in reference to the haunted lore that has circulated about Gilliam Stage’s history-adorned halls for decades. “It’s not just a venue; it’s a character. A mysterious diva with perfect posture and centuries of secrets. Everything [on Main Street] seems to point towards it— like you’re not just going to a show, you’re being summoned inside.”
In reverence of the season which lends itself to the elusive nature of our own perceptions, Christy emphasized the mystifying quality of live theatre showcased during Murder for Two at Barter’s Smith Theatre. Though she initially approached the two-man show with admitted “skepticism” due to the high expectations surrounding a 13-character murder mystery, she says all those doubts disappeared the second the lights went black. “It was clever, it was unexpected, and it was a reminder of how powerful theatre can be when it relies not on spectacle, but on raw, undeniable talent.”
“I’ve been to a lot of theatre in my life,” Christy went on to rave about our production of Deathtrap over on Gilliam Stage, “Broadway theatre, even. But this was the first time I’ve ever heard an entire audience gasp in unison. Real, audible gasps. Plural. The twists were clever, the pacing was tight, and the acting? Flawless and effortlessly sharp. Every time I thought I had a grip on what was happening—bam! Another curveball.”
As the curtains fell and Christy’s weekend with Barter came to a close, she found herself already eagerly planning a return visit to further explore the mysteries our theater holds. “It’s the kind of place that merges high-level production with small-town soul,” the beloved regional influencer praised, “[Barter is] a place where ghosts of the past meet the demons of our present; And if you’re like me, it’ll leave you wondering what else is waiting in the wings.”
