Ghost Stories
★★★★☆ Supernatural thrills
Festival Theatre: Wed 26 – Sat 29 Mar 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s Ghost Stories is a very successful piece of theatre, and a suitably scary excursion into the supernatural. After a successful West End run, the play’s first attempt at a tour was cut short by Covid lockdowns, but it is finally touring nationwide.
The creators of Ghost Stories ask that reviewers do not divulge anything about the production that might spoil it for future audiences – publicity images for the play tend to show shrieking audiences rather than anything onstage.
Dan Tetsell in Ghost Stories. Pic Hugo Glendinning.
It is surely fair, however, (especially since the play and the Festival Theatre website indicate as much) to say that it is about a sceptical academic who researches the paranormal, played by Dan Tetsell. He recounts three of the narratives that have most puzzled him in his career, about a nightwatchman (David Cardy), a teenager (Eddie Loodmer-Elliott) and a city trader (Clive Mantle).
Any similarity to the celebrated Amicus portmanteau horror movies of the1960s and 1970s is easily understood, as those were such an influence on The League of Gentleman, of which Dyson was one quarter (he was the one who didn’t usually appear on screen).
Similarly, a tendency to manipulate the audience’s expectations can be expected, since Nyman is Derren Brown’s long-term collaborator. Dyson and Nyman are also co-directors, along with Sean Holmes.
labour of love
The whole thing is clearly a labour of love, and (unlike many attempts at horror on stage) has no whiff of the cynical about it. Where some such productions have random jump-scares seemingly for the sake of it, the scary moments here arise organically from the narrative.
David Cardy in Ghost Stories.Pic: Hugo Glendinning.
Furthermore, Dyson and Nyman understand that often the waiting for them to arrive is the most frightening part. The pacing is ideal; the 90-minute no-interval format that can seem awkward works perfectly here.
Down to the advance warnings (unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15, anyone of a nervous disposition should think carefully before attending, no re-admittance if you leave, and so on) everything about this is beautifully thought through.
The technical aspects are first-rate, in a production that is a real celebration of the power of theatre. The direction, Jon Bausor’s spectacular design, James Farncombe’s sepulchral lighting, Scott Penrose’s riveting special effects, Lloyd McDonagh’s movement direction, all work together brilliantly.
sound design
Possibly best of all is Nick Manning’s sound design. It is difficult to imagine a touring production where it is so effectively done, to the extent that you would swear it must have been specifically designed for this theatre.
Eddie Loodmer-Elliott in Ghost Stories. Pic: Hugo Glendinning.
Tetsell’s Professor Goodman engages the audience from the start, and the rest of the cast (particularly the wonderful Mantle) are equally impressive.
Seasoned horror watchers might not find anything new about Ghost Stories; there is certainly something old-fashioned about it that occasionally threatens to shade into a certain blokeishness. Overall, however, it is a tremendously well put-together production, that is thoroughly enjoyable whether or not you think you like the genre.
Running time: One hour and 30 minutes (no interval)
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson St, EH8 9FT
Wednesday 26 – Saturday 29 March 2025
Wed & Fri: 7.30pm; Thu & Sat: 5.30pm & 8pm.
Details and tickets: Book here.
Glasgow Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 3QA
Tue 8 – Sat 12 April 2025
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Mats Weds, Sat: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Clive Mantle in Ghost Stories. Pic: Hugo Glendinning.
ENDS
