What better way to start a new year and new decade than by watching the record breaking terrifying phenomenon, Ghost Stories at The Alexandra? I’m sure I’ll survive…right?
Don’t worry there are no spoilers ahead!
Ghost Stories, a play by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, started its first ever UK tour at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham on the 8th January 2020. It has been successfully scaring audiences around the world with numerous sell out productions and a 2017 box office film version starring Nyman himself alongside Alex Lawther, Martin Freeman and Paul Whitehouse. The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s production of Ghost Stories played another successful run at it’s original Hammersmith home and the production has just finished its run at the Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End.
Critics around the world have tried to keep the plot and production secrets out of their reviews so that the experience isn’t ruined for anyone who has yet to see this spooky spectacular event on stage. It has been described as “the ultimate twisted love-letter to horror, a supernatural edge-of-your-seat theatrical experience like no other.” Surely that’s enough to whet the appetite?
With showstopping credentials behind it, I expected big things from this production and boy, did it deliver.The creative force behind Ghost Stories deserve their credit as this production quickly became one of the most atmospheric immersive experiences that I’ve ever had in the theatre. Designer Jon Bausor, Lighting Designer James Farncombe and Sound Designer Nick Manning have crafted the perfect horror theatre experience that I didn’t realise I was missing. Combined with the genius special effects by Scott Penrose, you can understand why this production is so successful.
Directors Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman and Sean Holmes obviously care about this play, the material and the production which is easily conveyed in the attention to detail throughout. The acting from this small superb cast is remarkable as they effortlessly tell the various stories, helping to build the tension in the auditorium and playing to the reaction of the crowd. Joshua Higgott plays Professor Goodman, Paul Hawkyard appears as Tony Matthews, Gus Gordon performs the role of Simon Rifkind and Richard Sutton reprises his role as Mike Priddle.
You could feel the electricity from the packed Birmingham audience as everyone huddled together in hysteria and fright to survive the 90 minute show. I never imagined that I could be in a pitch black theatre and live to tell the tale!
If you are a fan of horror, unexpected scares and perfectly crafted storytelling then you can’t miss this production of Ghost Stories as it continues to send shivers down the spine of the UK on its national tour in 2020. Now let me just find a brightly lit room to recover…..
DT
Theatretastic rating 5/5:
We say: “Expect nothing more than sheer horror perfection with this atmospheric chilling production of Ghost Stories!”
Theatretastic 