**_A mad slayer is loose in the theatre_** A group of stage actors are burning the midnight oil during a storm in the hopes of producing a hit, but a homicidal former-actor has escaped the mental asylum and they’re locked in the theatre with him. David Brandon plays the stressed director and Robert Gligorov one of the actors. "StageFright” (1987) is an Italian slasher, otherwise known as “Aquarius” and originally called “Deliria.” I was having trouble pinpointing the country of origin while viewing and so don’t let the fact that it’s an Italian production turn you away. It works just fine for English-speaking audiences and could’ve easily been shot in America, Canada or the UK. The moody synth-oriented score is reminiscent of Pink Floyd with bits of more energetic 80’s music thrown in later on. Barbara Cupisti (Alicia), Jo Ann Smith (Sybil), Loredana Parrella (Corinne) and Mary Sellers (Laurel) standout in the feminine department. At the end of the day, it’s a perfectly competent slasher with a quality (one-dimensional) setting and the kills/gore are well done if that’s your thang (I could care less). But there’s not enough human interest and, considering the resources, the director coulda done better shooting the women more effectively (not talking ‘bout nudity or sleaze), but he does good enough I reckon. The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Rome, Italy. GRADE: B-

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