Not for the reason that authentic West End chiller, The Woman in Black has there been a spooky spectacular to set the pulses racing, and like its theatrical predecessor, Ghost Stories depends on taught writing and intelligent stagecraft to ship thrills and chills a-plenty.
There’s additionally intelligent front-end advertising, ratcheting up the strain earlier than the curtain ever rises. With adverts posing the query “Are you brave enough to book?”, content material warnings and movies of earlier viewers members actually leaping out of their seats, the lights within the auditorium flickering, and an unsettling soundtrack taking part in as you enter the theatre, The League of Gentlemen‘s Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman have created a intelligent and absorbing theatrical occasion. And as requested, this evaluate, just like the present, has a no spoiler rule.
This trilogy of terror is offered by parapsychologist Professor Philip Goodman (Dan Tetsell), to whom these tales have been recounted throughout a few years of research. The professor makes an attempt to elucidate the psychology of those occasions in an try to offer them rational rationalization.
In the primary story, night time watchman Tony Matthews (David Cardy) finds extra on the finish of the beam of his flashlight than he may ever have bargained for. The second is a basic trope, teenage pupil (Eddie Loodmer-Elliott) is driving his dad’s automobile on darkish again roads within the pouring rain when … properly you’ll need to go alongside to search out out. The last story entails a wheeler and vendor (Clive Mantle) about to change into a father for the primary time.
The stagecraft is exemplary, the reworking set by Jon Bausor, the lighting (James Farncombe) and sound design (Nick Manning) are a triumph. This is an ideal instance of a very good old school chiller of a narrative, superbly instructed. You will likely be on the sting of your seat as a lot hanging on each phrase, as you might be ready in anticipation of the following leap scare.
For these these feint of coronary heart it isn’t going to make you lose sleep, somewhat it’s going to offer you some fantastically thrilling shivers up and down your backbone.
Dyson and Nyman have completely capitalised on our insatiable urge for food for the paranormal, each sceptic and believer. As the Professor asks firstly: “What draws us to these stories, why are you here?” and solutions: “to play a game with our fear”. Mankind down the ages has been and can without end be, fascinated by the unexplained and this piece of masterful storytelling and stagecraft is a superb addition to the standard ghost story canon. A contemporary masterpiece.
Runs till 12 April 2025 | Image: Hugo Glendinning
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