“Doc Wuthergloom, one of Canada’s finest raconteurs of horror and deception, brings his inhumane act to Toronto again. Hilarious and shocking. The show is definitely needed during the dark nights of October and November.”
On this damp night, thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Melissa, itinerant, diminutive exorcist Doc Wuthergloom returns to regale audiences at Queen Street’s Red Sandcastle Theatre. This quirky chronicler shares haunting tales of the dangers of the mind and soul hidden within the pages of the ancient forbidden books lining the shelves of the little ‘lib’ary’ that will be opened by a chosen audience member.
It’s 90 minutes of chilling, immersive horror and audience participation, narrated by the twisted mind of the top-hat-wearing circus-style ringmaster, who glares and scowls at the audience as they enter during the pre-show.
With assistance from the always crafty, slick and engaging Eric Woolfe, audiences can be assured of spine-tingling hilarity corralled by a caravan of demented, bloodshot, googly-eyed puppets and some terrific feats of dark parlour magic that leave us astonished at Wuthergloom’s sleight of hand.
As always, the Red Sandcastle Theatre is decorated in its seasonal Hallowe’en finest outside in the display windows and inside the building. During the pre-show, two stunning cigarette girl greeters, Caesarina (Paula Schultz) and Cybill (Natalia Bushnik), are ghoulishly dressed in outfits reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Caesarina shows audiences to their seats, engages in small talk, and introduces other audience members to one another. It certainly kept the audience smiling.
The show is terrific.
The lively, horrifying tales are told with bursts of creativity and a genuine love for wordplay.
Wuthergloom is a true genius raconteur. He loves the sounds of words and their sometimes double meanings. Wuthergloom clearly enjoys audience improvisation. He doesn’t just pick people from the front row; he steps into the aisle and chooses individuals directly from their seats. There was a young person in the audience tonight who came with her parents. Wuthergloom invited this young girl up to the front. He clearly had great fun joking with her, and she matched his wit near the end of their time together.
Nobody is safe from Wuthergloom’s eyesight.
The Doc is also quick with insults, and yes, I had one hurled at me with deliberate, comic sharpness. I loved it.
There was a treat on this particular night. As we all waited for the rain to subside momentarily before venturing out, the unpretentious Eric Woolfe stuck his head out to share appreciation for our attendance and to keep warm and safe as we left the theatre.
A personable touch of class at Eldritich Theatre.
I like that.
I know I’ll be coming back for the rest of the season.
In the meantime, get tickets to Doc Wuthergloom’s Little Lib’ary of the Damned.
Running time: approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
The production runs to November 9 at Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen Street East. For tickets: Doc Wuthergloom’s Little Lib’ary of the Damned – Oct 30 – Nov 9, 2025.
To learn more about Eldritch Theatre: www.eldritchtheatre.ca.
Eldritch Theatre presents
Doc Wuthergloom’s Little Lib’ary of the Damned
Created and performed by Dr. Pretorious Wuthergloom
With the Assistance of Eric Woolfe.
Paula Schultz as Caesarina, Natalia Bushnik as Cybill and Emma Mackenzie Hillier as Carmilla.
