The Night of the Werewolves LIVE – THE SPACE, Fruit Market Pop Up Space, Hull

Writer: Olivia Hirst

Director: Alex Mitchell

Are you a fan of TV show The Traitors? Or perhaps you and your friends enjoy the occasional game of One Night Werewolf or Mafia? Or maybe you’re just an extrovert who is still #TeamJacob? If you recognise yourself in any of these, then The Night of Werewolves LIVE is made for you!

A group of mostly strangers rock up to a venue, simply dressed with tables surrounding a central map, and select a character, one of a variety of medieval sounding jobs in a small village. You may be The Innkeeper, The Chandler, even the Brothel Owner, choosing from a range of cards designed by local scenic artist Ian Hinley. You name your character, and become them for the night, before you are introduced to the glamorously velvet clad Professor (who has a far longer name and illustrious list of titles that your reviewer was asked to recall multiple times and still can’t mentally keep hold of!). The Professor (Alex Mitchell, ably assisted by their sub, Ashley ‘Cubby’ Cantwell) spins a tale of a village near Hull, 400 years ago, and the gruesome and gory six nights that passed there, oh so long ago…

And so the game begins. Ten villagers this night, randomly assigned as villager or werewolf, with a few special roles thrown in for good measure. Over the course of almost three hours the villagers must find and burn the werewolves, before the werewolves disembowel the villagers. Accusations and defences fly across the air, and the laughter is as thick as the indignation.

Mitchell is excellent as The Professor, a campy narrative voice who feels like a young Julian Clary, if the comedian were a goth games master. They tease out details from their players without anyone feeling pressured, cracking jokes with a super quick wit, and yet managing to keep a straight face every time they recited tonight’s cobbled together town name (Bloodjizum Squeakton – the night is very 18+, although consent on the level of smut is established before things kick off and family friendly events are also available). Much of the night is improvised with interspersed scripted sections, delivered in Mitchell’s best dramatic, eerie tones. Cantwell builds up the atmosphere cueing perfectly timed lighting effects designed by Adam Foley, plus music and soundscapes created by Eddi Pickard. It’s an evening that lives or dies on the buy in of the players, and Mitchell made the space feel safe to interact and play, without worry of getting it wrong or looking silly (even as the premise and characters created could be very silly indeed). It’s crass, flamboyant, over the top horror gaming with a drag feel and it is an excellent way to pass an evening. One would imagine that it’s even better in winter, when the moon is out and the venue even darker.

In around 50 games apparently the villagers have only won twice. Including tonight. Yes, your reviewer (cast as a Witch, a villager with extra powers) was victorious! The evening would still however come highly recommended even were that not the case. Grab your beast hunting paraphernalia, sharpen your teeth and get yourself to Hull for a night out with a difference.

Reviewed on 11 June 2026

Events run sporadically until 20 December 2026