By Peggy Phillips
The Crane Theater in Minneapolis (The Hollywood Times) 11/04/2025
The Twin Cities Horror Fest continues to raise the bar for live theatrical innovation, and this year’s standout production, Madness and Betrayal, proved no exception. Presented at The Crane Theater in Minneapolis, this double feature resurrected the classic Grand Guignol tradition—where psychological tension, dark comedy, and the grotesque intertwine to stunning effect.
“THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS”: SPELLBINDING HORROR
The evening opened with The Lighthouse Keepers, a taut and atmospheric piece that explored the fragile line between duty and madness. Set in a storm-beaten lighthouse, the story unfolded with both eerie restraint and emotional fire.
Jacob Snyder Timmons delivered a deeply affecting performance as Brehan, the steadfast father determined to fulfill his duty as isolation and dread close in around him. His grounded portrayal provided the emotional anchor of the piece—a man torn between obligation and compassion.
Opposite him, Jesse March portrayed Ivan, the fevered son whose paranoia and delirium spiral into haunting hallucinations. March’s performance was visceral, intelligent, and deeply human. He brought a rare combination of physical precision and emotional rawness to the role, creating a riveting tension with Timmons’ stoic father figure.
Their dynamic became the play’s heartbeat, an intimate portrayal of love, fear, and a mind teetering on the edge of collapse.
March, Timmons, and fellow cast member Kathryn Cesarz are all graduates of the renowned Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, and their shared foundation in physical storytelling was evident in every moment of the production.
“THE GREATEST MIME IN THE WORLD”: COMIC BRILLIANCE
Between the two plays, the audience was treated to a surprise burst of physical comedy, a brilliantly choreographed “mime fight” performed by March and Timmons. Without a single word, the duo engaged in a wildly exaggerated battle of wills, complete with invisible weapons, slapstick timing, and cinematic precision.
The performance recalled the best of silent-era comedy while maintaining the heightened energy of live theatre. Their exaggerated blows, pauses, and silent reactions played like a living cartoon – a testament to both performers’ mastery of physical theater and impeccable chemistry on stage.
It became an instant audience favorite, laughter echoing through the theater.
“THE FINAL KISS”: HORROR WITH HEART
The second piece, The Final Kiss, carried the night to a chilling close. It delivered the quintessential Grand Guignol experience. Grotesque humor, sudden violence, and the tragic absurdity of human emotion.
Kathryn Cesarz brought quiet strength and emotional precision to her role, grounding the chaos in authenticity. Together, March, Timmons, and Cesarz formed an ensemble that balanced horror with humanity. Their performances never leaned on shock value; instead, they revealed something deeply true about fear, love, and survival.
A GRAND GUIGNOL MASTERPIECE
Between its inventive staging, fearless acting, and seamless tonal shifts, Madness and Betrayal stands out as one of this year’s festival highlights. It’s a rare production that can make you gasp, laugh, and reflect – sometimes all within the same breath.
At The Crane Theater in Minneapolis, audiences were drawn into a world where madness and artistry collide, leaving an unforgettable impression long after the final scene.
Photo: Twin Cities Horror Fest.
