Writer: Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman
Directors: Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman and Sean Holmes
There are jump-scares aplenty in this nail-biting and genuinely haunting production of Ghost Stories which arrives at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre as part of its UK Tour.
Without revealing too much of the show’s horror and reveals, Ghost Stories revolves around the sinister and creepy tales of Professor Goodman (Joshua Higgott), who guides us through a selection of his most horrifying stories across the 90 minute run time. It is impossible not to feel the atmosphere intensify once the lights dim.
Higgott is fun as the rambling and insightful Professor Goodman and is remarkable at setting the right tone, and almos ease, to lull the audience into a false sense of security. This is a play that very much relies on the senses and the imagination, and Higgott’s delivery taps into this very well.
Supporting Higgott is an excellent ensemble cast of Gus Gordon, Paul Hawkyard and Richard Sutton, who carry their own individual narratives with aplomb. Each pitch their roles perfectly and help hit the jumps and yelps in the right places. Sutton’s role is particularly impressive, with his characterisation of Mike Priddle threatening to steal the show.
Jon Bausor’s set design is suitably malleable and helps create the spooky atmosphere synonymous with the production. The swift scene changes only enhance the mood as the piece slickly comes together.
Ghost Stories is certainly a thrilling night out in all sense of the word, and will leave you chewing your nails, laughing out loud, and somewhere in between in this well-executed theatrical spectacle.
Reviewed on 3 March 2020
Reviews Hub Score
Spooktacular
