Recommendation: Mockery Manor

[merrileemakes]

Mockery Manor is a high-production audio drama that follows the misadventures of 3 theme park employees: twins Bettey and Jay Jay and colleague and/or love/lust/like interest Parker. This trio are people you would never want to mee. They're bad decision making chaos machines with a flair for hysterics. But they're an absolute blast to listen to.

The show is made by a writer/musician couple and that close connection really helps bring the podcast to life. Music is at the heart of Mockery Manor, so much so its almost a character in its own right.

The first season is set in 1980s UK and the music just nails the cheesy, so 'wholesome' its unnerving vibe of 80s jingles and themes. The second season is set a few years later in Germany and is a blend of hokey Bavarian and euro death metal (which is honestly great). The third season is set back in the UK in the 90s, in a park themed on a US country singer, and is the best season yet for music.

I start with describing the music because the plot is... fine. Each season is a contained mystery, with mild thriller themes and some murder. Season 2 is probably the best story wise. I found season 3 repeating plot beats from season 1 too much. But I'm not that fussed, for me it's the characters and the music that drive the show. I'm here for the audio, the drama plays second fiddle to that delight.

There's a promised season 4 set on a theme park on a cruise ship! I cannot wait for all the terrible muzak.

4.5/5, would recommend if you're remotely interested. The feed also has interviews with the creators (they interview themselves, its kinda weird but it works) about the music and the creative process which are also quite interesting.

The music is also available to stream on Bandcamp if you're curious. I'd recommend Where Childhood Never Dies (the slightly off synth is perfect, is it a minor key?), Enter Großmann and Cactus Lovers for a sampling of the breadth of music in the show.