Review: Ghost Stories (Peacock Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There’s nothing like a good horror show, and by that I don’t mean the shows that aren’t supposed to be horrors, but turn out to be just that. With spooky season starting and Halloween just around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to scare yourself silly with a stage show, and Ghost Stories aims to do just that. Returning to London for a short season at the Peacock Theatre as part of a UK tour. Would this show be able to give me the shivers, or is this one story that should have stayed dead?

Premiering in 2010 and enjoying a West End run, Ghost Stories has been revived several times since, with the play being adapted into a 2017 movie. The premise of the show sees sceptic Professor Goodman attempt to debunk the paranormal, embarking on an investigation of three apparent hauntings, told by the three individuals who have made the claim - a night-watchman, a teenage boy and a businessman awaiting his first child. Will Goodman be able to explain everything that they claim has happened, or could the sceptic find himself stumped?

If that sounds like a rather vague summary of the plot, that is for a very good reason. Writers Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman have asked anyone reviewing this show not to reveal anything so that audiences can enjoy the surprises without being spoiled.

And that concludes my review. Thanks for reading, everybody.

Jokes aside, I’m a firm believer that reviews should never spoil any elements of the show unless it is completely necessary, and even then, it should come with a warning. Everybody has the right to experience something with the full impact without fear of it being spoiled, but forgive me if I say even less about the specifics of this show than I ordinarily would. What I can say is - it’s terrifyingly good!

I find horror can be the most difficult genre to translate for the stage as it can be rather limited by the lack of tools available for movies, for example. Over the years, I have seen several attempts that failed so spectacularly, instead of screams, the audience response were screams of laughter. And there is laughter to be found in Ghost Stories, but deliberately so. Dyson and Nyman clearly understand the genre and have made this with a love and passion that allows it to land with the desired impact. The result is a tense and suspenseful 85 minutes that had my heart racing.

The jumpscares are executed with precision, with the uncertainty of if and when something is going to suddenly happen making the experience all the more enjoyable, That is if you enjoy this sort of thing, that is - anyone who isn’t so good with scares may want to stay clear, as I found myself jumping at this more than I think I ever have at any show. This can be attributed to the careful nature of the writing as well as Dyson, Nyman and Sean Holmes’ directions. There are twists and shocks to be found along the way, as you would hope, with every one executed perfectly.

What I can talk about without spoiling anything is how exceptional the design elements are in Ghost Stories. Jon Bausor’s set design is fantastically deceptive in what it can reveal and when, working in tandem with James Farncombe’s phenomenal lighting design to keep parts of the stage in darkness and help reveal certain aspects at the right moment. This is a very atmospheric production, with the ominous and eerie sound design from Nick Manning helping land the effect before the show has even started.

Though I can’t say what they are, Ghost Stories features some stunning special effects, cleverly inserted by Scott Penrose. The fact you can’t see when these effects are about to happen or even figure out how they were achieved after is a testament to how fantastic they really are, and help add to the design and overall feel of this spooky production.

Jonathan Guy Lewis leads the cast as Professor Goodman, immediately obliterating any fourth wall and being the audience guide for the stories that are about to unfold. It is a performance that demands confidence and the slightest bit of intrigue, which Lewis revels in, creating a captivating performance that steered the narrative fantastically. I can’t speak about the nature of the other characters but David Cardy, Preston Nyman, Clive Mantle and Lloyd McDonagh all deliver strong performances, leading to a consistent cast that nail the scares every time.

If the vagueness of this review still has you sceptical of whether you should pay Ghost Stories visit or not, let me help you make up your mind. If you love a good scare, this is the show for you, though if you’d rather watch something a bit lighter, you may prefer to opt for Mamma Mia! down the road instead (though depending on your thoughts on ABBA, you may find that scarier). With great writing and direction and stunning design performed by a strong cast, Ghost Stories was a real spooktacular treat of a show. Though I can’t say it’s made me completely believe in ghosts, it certainly made me a believer when it comes to decent horror shows in theatre.

Ghost Stories plays at the Peacock Theatre until 8th November. Tickets from allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/play/ghost-stories-tickets

Photos by Hugo Glendinning