A truly terrifying theatrical experience written and directed by The League of Gentlemen's master of the macabre, Jeremy Dyson, and Andy Nyman, co-creator and director of Derren Brown’s television and stage shows and star of Dead Set and Severance.
WARNING: Please be advised that Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 16. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.
Jeremy Dyson needs no introduction to visitors of this site, his love of horror and the macarbe is well documented and through this the Leagues work has paid homage to some of the most disturbing films ever made.
Andy Nyman is a well respected stage and screen actor having starred in television (including the League, series three, episode three) and films, most notably as Howard in the brilliant British Comedy 'Death at a Funeral'.
It was Andys work as a magician however, that brought him to the attention of Channel four in 1999 when he was offered his own show performing 'Mentalism', Andy was one of only a handful of people performing mentalism at the time but he declined, not wanting to stray from acting. He did however, offer to collaborate with whoever it was they found for the show. They found Derren Brown and together they have created some of the most controversial and talked about television of the last ten years. It is their stage shows however that are most relevant here as Andy has directed all four sell out stage shows, one of which truly terrified me a few years ago in the Lowry.
So when I heard that these two had created a stage production called Ghost stories, I booked tickets straight away. Front row centre. Was I mad? Yes.
Let me tell you straight away. You will jump out of your seat. You will scream and your heart will miss a beat. A lady at the end of my row had to leave the theatre for a few minutes and was only convinced to come back in by her friend...and that was ten minutes in.
Yet I expected to be scared, after all, there are enough warnings! I was hoping however that it was not just another 'make them jump' play, and I was not disappointed, there is a story going on too. both Jeremy and Andy are fans of the classic chilling supernatural thriller perfected by writers such as Ramsey Campbell, Robert Aickman , Elizabeth Jane Howard and MR James. So yes, there is a story and it is one that you will talk about on the way home...and then late into the night...as you will not sleep that night.
For the geeky League fan such as myself there are a few film references to spot and even a few League references. One character mentions a friend, Eddie Leverton...it took me a moment...there is also a 'was it wasn't it' nod to Mick the cave guide, or maybe it was me?
In case you were wondering, yes there are laughs too...some of them uneasy, but laughs none the less.
The cast are fantastic, Andy is the real star of the show but fans of Benidorm will be impressed with Nicholas Burns performance, it sparkles with a confidence not seen in Benidorm and as is often the case, what you don't see can often be scarier than what you do see.
I want to thank Jeremy and Andy plus all of the cast and crew for a great night! Book it, you will not be disappointed.
Andy has specifically requested that the plot does not leak out and I would beg anyone going to see the play to keep its secrets until your friends have seen it also.
Comments from audience members after Thursday night’s first preview of Ghost Stories
“I don't think I'll sleep easy for a while. In fact, it affected me so much I almost wish I hadn't gone. And that is a good thing- promise!” G.Menary-Winefield
“I saw it tonight, it is AMAZING!! Everyone should go see it! I screamed a lot, which would normally be very embarrassing? in a full theatre but everyone else was screaming too so it was fine!“ PrincessLouby
