Review: Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar
Picture: Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Taking inspiration from the weird, science fantasy, and horror Cthulhu Mythos fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, and named in honour of the satirical Neil Gaiman story, Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar is an otherworldly experience. If you are intrigued, I suggest getting a ticket while you can, to see this established Brisbane based Horror-Folk/Dark Cabaret band performing jaunty songs inspired by madness, monsters, murder, and the stories of H.P. Lovecraft.
The professionalism and meticulousness of the creatives and performers of this ‘art experience’ musical show is impressive. Expect clever costuming, fantastical makeup, and amazing projected images. And a welcome by Denizens of the Deep Dance Company, who weave and shuffle throughout the auditorium in an otherworldly response to the music of the evening: the alluring, amorous, amphibious Seductress (Natasha Hayes), the deluded Acolyte (Caleb Jaaniste), and the cursed cosmic choreographer Conjuror (David Hayes).
The stars of the show, the ’vaudevillian varlets’ of Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar, remain impressively in character throughout, with some fabulous introductions that give a great sense of the styling and attention to detail of this production. Look forward to … enjoying the ghoulish guitars and vicious vocals of the sadistic slumlord Edward E. Vile (Ross Freiburg) … hearing from a percussion poltergeist of who delivers venomous vocals, the butcher's daughter Mistress Maggot (Rachel Mulcair) … meeting the enigmatic terror of tuned percussion, the xylophone zealot Mr Bilious (Graham White) …. experiencing the blasphemous bass and barbarous backing vocals of lascivious Squamous Criddle (Peter Richter) … and enjoying the accursed accordion of the pox ridden dandy, Scabby Andy (Peter Harvey).
I am not as familiar as I would like to be with this genre, but my impression is that these are original or repurposed pieces, blending folk, blues, gypsy jazz, world, and rock genres. The artists are talented musicians, and the band benefits from the exceptional vocals of Rachel Mulcair and expressionist speech-singing of Ross Freiburg. Solid work on accordion (Peter Harvey) and guitars (Peter Richter and Ross Freiburg) provides a great background to the musical skills of the Graham White (great Xylophone), and Rachel Mulcair (fabulous percussion, including suitcase drum and lagerphone).
Each of the songs is well-chosen, providing an interesting variety in style and story. My three favourite numbers were the goth-folk ‘Hale to the Ale’ and padded-cell illustrated ‘Monsters From My Minds,’ each showcasing Mulcair‘s powerful vocals and White’s xylophone skills. The standout was the closing ‘Pint of Old Peculiar.’ ‘Old Peculiar’ is a fantastic choice and great way to end the show: a rousing, a capella, sea shanty-style song, led by Mulcair and with the whole band joining in with the chorus.
Picture: Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture:Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar and the Denizens of the Deep Dance Company (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Mr Bilious (Graham White), Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: A member of the Denizens of the Deep Dance Company at Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Mistress Maggot (Rachel Mulcair), Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
For those of us who are not as familiar with Lovecraft’s work, I suggest that the band consider weaving a stronger gothic narrative across the evening, providing an overarching story arc—perhaps by retelling elements of the stories as an introduction to each song. Alternatively, I suggest that Mr Bilious introduce each of their fellow performers across the evening—as an opportunity to provide more of the individual backstories and connect each performer/persona more closely with each song.
It is easy to see why Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar is already attracting an enthusiastic following. Don’t miss out on this memorable, otherworldly musical experience.
Picture: Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar (Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Audience information: Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar can be experienced at just two shows in the 2025 Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay program (both 7:30pm performances): Burpengary Community Hall 101 Station Road, Burpengary (10 May), and The Hills District Community Centre 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills (16 May, note that there is no suitable projection equipment at the 16 May venue, but there is a great backdrop for this show). PG. 60 minutes, no interval. Tickets $30 plus $4.40 booking fee.
The reviewer attended the 10 May 2025 7:30pm show.