Ghost Stories National Tour (2025)
With the last national tour so rudely interrupted by the global pandemic, and following the success of horror theatre over recent years (witness the juggernaut that is 2:22), it has taken five years for the spirits to align and bring back the acclaimed Ghost Stories back to the stage.
It's quite amazing to think we first saw his show about 14 years ago, and it has still lost none of the shock and impact over this time. In an announcement at the end of the show, the audience are actively encouraged not to ruin it for others, and it is also amazing that to this day, most people enter the show knowing very little.
You can read our thoughts on the story and the staging in our previous reviews below , but for this review we will focus on the four main characters and any potential changes.
First up Dan Tetsell has big shoes to fill - taking over the part originated by one of the show's creators - Andy Nyman and played in other versions by stage veteran Simon Lipkin. The role requires a confident on stage presence and Dan pulls this off perfectly. In fact a few times, when standing in profile - he could easily be mistaken for Mr Nyman himself!
The other roles have been filled with a couple of familiar face from the TV, and both give strong performances. Clive Mantle felt slighty out of his age range for the smug yuppie Mike Priddle, but David Cardy gave a believable take on a world weary night watchman. The final main character - Simon Riffkind, played by Eddie Loodmer-Elliott felt slightly less nerdy and geeky than previous versions, but probably has the most to do on stage with his car based middle story.
We were sat right in the front section of the stalls for this show and it really helps to engulf you in the story. At times there is a LOT of darkness on stage, and with some of the sudden jumps, distractions and more, the show remains one of the most tense bits of theatre ever created. Of course there is also a dark hearted stream of humour running through the script and the audience's emotions are plucked at throughout the entire 90 minute production.
The show is only just starting on its tou,r as is due to run until August when it finishes in Cardiff. If you haven't seen this show then we really cant recommend it enough. As Andy Nyman said to us himself this week "It makes us so happy to have proper quality scares out there again"
It's quite amazing to think we first saw his show about 14 years ago, and it has still lost none of the shock and impact over this time. In an announcement at the end of the show, the audience are actively encouraged not to ruin it for others, and it is also amazing that to this day, most people enter the show knowing very little.
You can read our thoughts on the story and the staging in our previous reviews below , but for this review we will focus on the four main characters and any potential changes.
First up Dan Tetsell has big shoes to fill - taking over the part originated by one of the show's creators - Andy Nyman and played in other versions by stage veteran Simon Lipkin. The role requires a confident on stage presence and Dan pulls this off perfectly. In fact a few times, when standing in profile - he could easily be mistaken for Mr Nyman himself!
The other roles have been filled with a couple of familiar face from the TV, and both give strong performances. Clive Mantle felt slighty out of his age range for the smug yuppie Mike Priddle, but David Cardy gave a believable take on a world weary night watchman. The final main character - Simon Riffkind, played by Eddie Loodmer-Elliott felt slightly less nerdy and geeky than previous versions, but probably has the most to do on stage with his car based middle story.
We were sat right in the front section of the stalls for this show and it really helps to engulf you in the story. At times there is a LOT of darkness on stage, and with some of the sudden jumps, distractions and more, the show remains one of the most tense bits of theatre ever created. Of course there is also a dark hearted stream of humour running through the script and the audience's emotions are plucked at throughout the entire 90 minute production.
The show is only just starting on its tou,r as is due to run until August when it finishes in Cardiff. If you haven't seen this show then we really cant recommend it enough. As Andy Nyman said to us himself this week "It makes us so happy to have proper quality scares out there again"
Ghost Stories National Tour (2020)
It's a new year and the start of a new decade, but who knew that the last ten years would have been ruled so much by just one play? With first rehearsals starting almost in 2010, virtually to this day, and with its first public performance in February 2010, it is great to see that Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson's classic horror play, can still surprise and scare an unsuspecting audience. In this modern day of internet spoilers, a simple request for audiences to "keep the secrets" appears to have worked, as we sat down to opening night of the Bath leg of the UK tour, surrounded by expectant and very nervous newbies.
The cleverness of Ghost Stories is actually a gift for those who have seen it more than once. Even on this sitting, we were able to pick out references and dialogue, that we had missed before, but as we have said in other reviews this doesn't preclude people when seeing it for the first time.
This touring transfer perfectly replicates the latest West End revival, with all the updated tricks and effects still in place. The cast are all new (except for Richard Sutton returning as Mike Priddle) and each bring their own take to the iconic roles. Joshua Higgott has big shoes to fill, following Andy Nyman and Simon Lipkin, but pulls off a believable performance as Professor Goodman - the main protagonist across the show. The individual Ghost Stories may be where the jumps and the ghosts are, but the real mysteries of the play are deeply buried in his performance. Both Gus as Simon Rifkind and Paul Hawkyard as Tony Matthews, hold the audience's attention during their segments and bring a charming vulnerability to their potentially flawed characters.
Of course, the show is also a masterpiece of sound design, and lighting, and this is what stands out, as the audience peer through the inky darkness, expecting a ghost around every corner, which just enhances the tension throughout. And let's not forget that taut 80 minute running time. With no interval - this show gallops through at a pace, whilst still having enough time to tease and build the tension where required.
It really is hard to say much more without directly disobeying the requests of the producers. Ghost Stories is one of those shows that deserves to be seen, knowing as little about it as possible, and with this UK tour, we urge you to go and discover it for yourself.
The cleverness of Ghost Stories is actually a gift for those who have seen it more than once. Even on this sitting, we were able to pick out references and dialogue, that we had missed before, but as we have said in other reviews this doesn't preclude people when seeing it for the first time.
This touring transfer perfectly replicates the latest West End revival, with all the updated tricks and effects still in place. The cast are all new (except for Richard Sutton returning as Mike Priddle) and each bring their own take to the iconic roles. Joshua Higgott has big shoes to fill, following Andy Nyman and Simon Lipkin, but pulls off a believable performance as Professor Goodman - the main protagonist across the show. The individual Ghost Stories may be where the jumps and the ghosts are, but the real mysteries of the play are deeply buried in his performance. Both Gus as Simon Rifkind and Paul Hawkyard as Tony Matthews, hold the audience's attention during their segments and bring a charming vulnerability to their potentially flawed characters.
Of course, the show is also a masterpiece of sound design, and lighting, and this is what stands out, as the audience peer through the inky darkness, expecting a ghost around every corner, which just enhances the tension throughout. And let's not forget that taut 80 minute running time. With no interval - this show gallops through at a pace, whilst still having enough time to tease and build the tension where required.
It really is hard to say much more without directly disobeying the requests of the producers. Ghost Stories is one of those shows that deserves to be seen, knowing as little about it as possible, and with this UK tour, we urge you to go and discover it for yourself.
Ghost Stories West End Revival (2019)
After a triumphant return to stage earlier this year at the Hammersmith Lyric, Ghost Stories has arrived on the West End for a limited run at The Ambassadors Theatre. Having seen the show plenty of times before, we were wondering if it would still be able to pack a punch with its assault of blood curdling scares. While the show remains unchanged from the production at the Lyric, we are happy to report that we were terrified from the start through to the disturbing finale.
What initially appears to be a rather traditional lecture on the paranormal, quickly descends into something far darker. Centred around three core stories of ghostly phenomena, the play is an intense and unrelenting rollercoaster of scares. These three tales are masterfully told with the help of some fabulous stage design which really heightens the mood. Enough can’t be said about the lighting and sound, which keep the tension at an all-time high throughout the play. We were (un)lucky enough to be sat mere feet away from the speakers, so were on the edge of our seats for the majority of the performance awaiting the next big scare.
One thing that sets Ghost Stories out from the crowd is the fact that there is no interval in the middle of the show. Once you’re in your seat, you’re there for good! The show impressively manages to keep you gripped throughout and we must say the pacing was unrelenting. Each story gradually ramps up, with smaller scale scares gradually building up towards a horrific set piece finale. These set pieces never failed to shock and often left us cowering in our seats.
As the plot progresses the play slowly unveils the twisted secret that underpins the entire show. We won’t spoil anything, but the finale is a real sight to be seen. This show truly isn’t appropriate for those easily scared and the finale is absolute proof of that. Blending psychological scares and some impactful jump scares, the finale caused this reviewer to whimper in his seat for a good couple of minutes.
There is genuinely no excuse to miss out on this production of Ghost Stories. The cast have done a hauntingly brilliant job of bringing this play to life and have characterised their roles perfectly. It really is a phenomenal show; every element has been refined to perfection and the scares are as strong as they ever have been. Don’t take our word for it though, make sure you see it for yourself! This is one experience you have you see for yourself.
When the show finishes at The Ambassador's Theatre from on January 4th 2019, it will then start a national tour through 2020.
What initially appears to be a rather traditional lecture on the paranormal, quickly descends into something far darker. Centred around three core stories of ghostly phenomena, the play is an intense and unrelenting rollercoaster of scares. These three tales are masterfully told with the help of some fabulous stage design which really heightens the mood. Enough can’t be said about the lighting and sound, which keep the tension at an all-time high throughout the play. We were (un)lucky enough to be sat mere feet away from the speakers, so were on the edge of our seats for the majority of the performance awaiting the next big scare.
One thing that sets Ghost Stories out from the crowd is the fact that there is no interval in the middle of the show. Once you’re in your seat, you’re there for good! The show impressively manages to keep you gripped throughout and we must say the pacing was unrelenting. Each story gradually ramps up, with smaller scale scares gradually building up towards a horrific set piece finale. These set pieces never failed to shock and often left us cowering in our seats.
As the plot progresses the play slowly unveils the twisted secret that underpins the entire show. We won’t spoil anything, but the finale is a real sight to be seen. This show truly isn’t appropriate for those easily scared and the finale is absolute proof of that. Blending psychological scares and some impactful jump scares, the finale caused this reviewer to whimper in his seat for a good couple of minutes.
There is genuinely no excuse to miss out on this production of Ghost Stories. The cast have done a hauntingly brilliant job of bringing this play to life and have characterised their roles perfectly. It really is a phenomenal show; every element has been refined to perfection and the scares are as strong as they ever have been. Don’t take our word for it though, make sure you see it for yourself! This is one experience you have you see for yourself.
When the show finishes at The Ambassador's Theatre from on January 4th 2019, it will then start a national tour through 2020.
Review - Ghost Stories - The Show (2019)
When Ghost Stories finished its West End run in 2015, we thought that we had seen the last of the horror masterpiece on the London stage. Plans were in place for a global tour, and the creative team were already talking about a movie adaptation, which hit the multiplexes last year to great critical fanfare (review below) Therefore, we were genuinely surprised to hear that the show would be returning for a limited run to the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith.
One of the things we have always said about Ghost Stories is that the show rewards people who have seen it more than once. Little throwaway lines or instances that might seem confusing or obscure at first, all start to fit into place. However, even we were amazed that after three times at the theatre and two viewings of the movie, that we were still surprised by the latest version of Ghost Stories when we attended the opening night last Friday.
The show is predominantly unchanged, but the creators Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson have admitted to adding a few extra “moments” to help crank up the tension. The show is famous for its on-stage tricks and effects, and they are all here as you remember them (and more!)
Unlike the constraints of a movie where camera shots can direct the action, the fear and dread is created on stage through the efficient use of minimal sets in the darkness. At times, the tension is unbearable as the audience sit there knowing something is about to happen but never knowing where or when.
Of course the impressive stage tricks, sound effects and more are one of the big draws of this production, but the show wouldn’t work if you didn’t totally believe in the cast.
Simon Lipkin as Professor Goodman, a parapsychologist trying to debunk three seemingly unrelated ghost stories was a perfect anchor for the show. Having seen Andy Nyman in the role many times, we felt that Simon brought the same level to the performance and was very believable throughout. The actors from the other three stories all brought top performances although with subtle differences to their movie counterparts. We were shocked to find out that nervous teenager Simon Rifkind was played by Andy Nyman’s own son Preston. Clearly, the apple does not fall far from the tree in their house as Andy is currently headlining in Fiddler on the Roof in the West End. A very believable Garry Cooper as a grief-ridden night watchman and Richard Sutton as a boorish yuppie with his hilarious way of sending text messages, complete the cast.
Talking of comedy it must not be underestimated just how ferociously funny this play is at times. Like all good horror experiences, the audience are laughing one minute and then screaming the next, and the play uses its tight 80 minute run time to suitably play with the audience’s nerves and expectations throughout.
One final thing about the show is that the creators always asked people to keep the secrets, and predominantly everyone has respected this wish. Obviously, with the movie now in the general domain, more people will know the twists and shocks within the story, but it is executed so well on stage that it still catches you by surprise. The sheer horror of the final scenes leave an uncomfortable chill that pervades long after the lights have gone up and the audience have left the theatre.
When the show was finishing its run last time, we implored as many people to go and see it, and now it is back we can only reiterate that emotion. The show works so much better in a theatre environment and remains a shockingly visceral piece of stagecraft that truly deserves to be experienced live.
One of the things we have always said about Ghost Stories is that the show rewards people who have seen it more than once. Little throwaway lines or instances that might seem confusing or obscure at first, all start to fit into place. However, even we were amazed that after three times at the theatre and two viewings of the movie, that we were still surprised by the latest version of Ghost Stories when we attended the opening night last Friday.
The show is predominantly unchanged, but the creators Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson have admitted to adding a few extra “moments” to help crank up the tension. The show is famous for its on-stage tricks and effects, and they are all here as you remember them (and more!)
Unlike the constraints of a movie where camera shots can direct the action, the fear and dread is created on stage through the efficient use of minimal sets in the darkness. At times, the tension is unbearable as the audience sit there knowing something is about to happen but never knowing where or when.
Of course the impressive stage tricks, sound effects and more are one of the big draws of this production, but the show wouldn’t work if you didn’t totally believe in the cast.
Simon Lipkin as Professor Goodman, a parapsychologist trying to debunk three seemingly unrelated ghost stories was a perfect anchor for the show. Having seen Andy Nyman in the role many times, we felt that Simon brought the same level to the performance and was very believable throughout. The actors from the other three stories all brought top performances although with subtle differences to their movie counterparts. We were shocked to find out that nervous teenager Simon Rifkind was played by Andy Nyman’s own son Preston. Clearly, the apple does not fall far from the tree in their house as Andy is currently headlining in Fiddler on the Roof in the West End. A very believable Garry Cooper as a grief-ridden night watchman and Richard Sutton as a boorish yuppie with his hilarious way of sending text messages, complete the cast.
Talking of comedy it must not be underestimated just how ferociously funny this play is at times. Like all good horror experiences, the audience are laughing one minute and then screaming the next, and the play uses its tight 80 minute run time to suitably play with the audience’s nerves and expectations throughout.
One final thing about the show is that the creators always asked people to keep the secrets, and predominantly everyone has respected this wish. Obviously, with the movie now in the general domain, more people will know the twists and shocks within the story, but it is executed so well on stage that it still catches you by surprise. The sheer horror of the final scenes leave an uncomfortable chill that pervades long after the lights have gone up and the audience have left the theatre.
When the show was finishing its run last time, we implored as many people to go and see it, and now it is back we can only reiterate that emotion. The show works so much better in a theatre environment and remains a shockingly visceral piece of stagecraft that truly deserves to be experienced live.
Simon Lipkin as Professor Goodman
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Garry Cooper as Tony Matthews
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Review - Ghost Stories - The Movie (2018)
Let's get one thing straight from the start. We aren't film reviewers, and never have been. When we first started ScareTOUR, we were focused primarily on scare attractions, but over the years we have branched out into live theatre and other such events. It was through this that lead us to Ghost Stories - The Show, and we were invited down by the producers, when it transferred from Liverpool to London. Over the course of the run (and the subsequent revival a few years later) we saw the show three times, with each viewing unlocking more secrets and connecting more threads. It was a show that rewarded people on multiple viewings, and we think it will be the same with the movie. Yes you can enjoy it as a stand alone, but there are clues and hints that you may not pick up on until the true nature of the movie is revealed.
The movie itself is an extension of the stage show, adding a deeper depth into the main character of Phillip Goodman (believably played by Andy Nyman), a paranormal de-bunker, with a troubled childhood. He is mysteriously called in to review three seemingly unexplainable cases, and although we get to see the three different stories in their element, the film allows more time with the protagonists as they look back on their experiences. This extra time in the present helps ground the stories in the here and now, as we see how they have affected the storytellers. From the gruff no nonsense night watchman, subtly played by Paul Whitehouse (who doesn't want to speak about what he saw) to the nervous terrified energy of Alex Lawther as Simon Rifkind, and the detached aloofness of Martin Freeman's businessman.
The stories themselves are nothing exceptional, in fact they could even be described as fairly generic horror material, but it is clear that the directors are having fun with the audience. The use of long distance shots (especially in the factory scene) work well to crank up the tension as the audience sit in the dark, scanning the screen waiting for something to happen. There are also many clever moments when you aren't sure if it is the director or your eyes playing tricks on you. Of course with any build up of tension, you need a moment of release, and there is enough going on here to have hardened scare fans jumping out of their seats. Some of the tricks may not big or clever but they bloody well work! However, some of the "ghosts", (for choice of a better non spoiler description), may have benefited from staying in the shadows a bit longer
And then there's that connecting story. Even with the foresight of the stage show, we were continually blindsided as to what direction the movie was heading in. With more time spent on flashbacks to the past and fleshing out Professor Goodman's character, the stronger the pay off became. The film is effectively an extension of the original stage story and is all the better for it.
The film is not going to appeal to everyone as it defies characterisation. It's not a horror movie in the classic sense yet, gleefully mixes moments of sheer terror with some genuinely funny laugh out loud moments. As a user of the O2 network myself, one line was too close to the truth to be funny! Of course, a lot of that comedy comes from the chief writer of the play, Jeremy Dyson, of League of Gentlemen fame. It's clear his finger prints are on this, and coupled with Nyman's love of the genre, the movie is a deceptive love letter to horror that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled.
The movie itself is an extension of the stage show, adding a deeper depth into the main character of Phillip Goodman (believably played by Andy Nyman), a paranormal de-bunker, with a troubled childhood. He is mysteriously called in to review three seemingly unexplainable cases, and although we get to see the three different stories in their element, the film allows more time with the protagonists as they look back on their experiences. This extra time in the present helps ground the stories in the here and now, as we see how they have affected the storytellers. From the gruff no nonsense night watchman, subtly played by Paul Whitehouse (who doesn't want to speak about what he saw) to the nervous terrified energy of Alex Lawther as Simon Rifkind, and the detached aloofness of Martin Freeman's businessman.
The stories themselves are nothing exceptional, in fact they could even be described as fairly generic horror material, but it is clear that the directors are having fun with the audience. The use of long distance shots (especially in the factory scene) work well to crank up the tension as the audience sit in the dark, scanning the screen waiting for something to happen. There are also many clever moments when you aren't sure if it is the director or your eyes playing tricks on you. Of course with any build up of tension, you need a moment of release, and there is enough going on here to have hardened scare fans jumping out of their seats. Some of the tricks may not big or clever but they bloody well work! However, some of the "ghosts", (for choice of a better non spoiler description), may have benefited from staying in the shadows a bit longer
And then there's that connecting story. Even with the foresight of the stage show, we were continually blindsided as to what direction the movie was heading in. With more time spent on flashbacks to the past and fleshing out Professor Goodman's character, the stronger the pay off became. The film is effectively an extension of the original stage story and is all the better for it.
The film is not going to appeal to everyone as it defies characterisation. It's not a horror movie in the classic sense yet, gleefully mixes moments of sheer terror with some genuinely funny laugh out loud moments. As a user of the O2 network myself, one line was too close to the truth to be funny! Of course, a lot of that comedy comes from the chief writer of the play, Jeremy Dyson, of League of Gentlemen fame. It's clear his finger prints are on this, and coupled with Nyman's love of the genre, the movie is a deceptive love letter to horror that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled.
Ghost Stories opens nationwide on Friday 13th April, 2018
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