The tell-tale heart : a highly physical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story

Abstract

The Tell-Tale Heart is a contemporary theatrical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story that explores the psychological intensity and moral disintegration at the core of the narrative. The production employs physical theatre, ensemble movement, and rhythmic sound to externalise the protagonist’s fractured mental state and growing obsession.

Rooted thematically in Gothic literature, the adaptation draws on the genre’s preoccupation with madness, guilt, surveillance, and the darker dimensions of human consciousness. These themes are translated into a heightened physical language, where gesture, repetition, and spatial composition become central storytelling tools.

Visually, the production blends Gothic sensibilities with a contemporary, slightly spooky aesthetic. Costumes and make-up feature dark silhouettes, subtle Victorian touches, and shadowed makeup to evoke an eerie, atmospheric mood that complements the psychological intensity of the story. This design resonated with the Trikki Trakki Youth Theatre Festival’s 2025 theme, Victorian Gothic Horror, providing a festival context for the performance’s aesthetic and thematic choices.

Developed for a specific ensemble of young performers, the work prioritises collaborative and participant-centred processes. Through devised movement, vocal experimentation, and collective dramaturgy, the performers contribute to shaping both the narrative and emotional landscape of the piece. The result is an immersive, physically driven performance that reimagines Poe’s classic tale for modern audiences.

This was written, adapted, and devised by Isabelle Gatt. It is an unpublished script that was publicly performed at the Teatru Malta (National Theatre Company) Trikki Trakki Youth Theatre Festival at the Blue Box Theatre (M Space), Msida, Malta, by from 11–13 April 2025.

Author-selected keywords: The Tell-Tale Heart, Edgar Allan Poe, Gothic literature, Physical theatre, Ensemble theatre, Contemporary theatre adaptation, Short theatre script (20 minutes), Youth performers / festival, Modern Gothic costume and make-up