A collection of darkly comic vignettes unfolds in this physical theater collage inspired by the Victorian gothic sensibilities of Edward Gorey. Set in a whimsically ominous world of windblown cliffs, calamitous croquet, and ill-fated courtships, the production moves briskly from séance to slapstick as it introduces precocious children and obscure perils through stylized theatrical sketches. Live music and a haunting aesthetic ground the episodic structure, evoking the peculiar beauty of Gorey’s pen-and-ink illustrations onstage.

Produced by Happenstance Theater, a company known for its performer-devised visual theater, this piece continues their tradition of drawing on historical imagery and physical performance to explore themes of mortality and whimsy. Founded in 2006, Happenstance has developed an aesthetic rooted in ensemble collaboration and precise theatrical technique, often drawing comparisons to vaudeville and silent film-era performance. This production is presented as part of the Co-Op Residency at 59E59 Theaters.