“We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.” So cautions the official synopsis of Ghost Stories and, naturally, we were intrigued.
The global horror phenomenon — which originated on London’s West End — is heading to Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre for an eight-week limited run in 2022, with the promise of terrifying those brave enough to purchase tickets to their very core.
Over the course of the 80-minute performance, Professor of Parapsychology Phillip Goodman regales the audience with tales of the three mysterious cases he encountered during his research that he just cannot explain.
The full scope and synopsis of the production are shrouded in secrecy in order to keep attendees on edge and, judging by these photos from previous performances, mission accomplished.
Ghost Stories was written by Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen) and Andy Nyman (Derren Brown TV and live shows, Peaky Blinders) and is being presented in Australia by Melbourne-based Realscape Productions, with this being the first time the original West End production will take the stage in Australia.
The play even comes with some incredibly high-praise from Black Mirror creator and co-showrunner Charlie Brooker who commended the show saying, “It’s one of them rare things that’s worth doing twice, unlike life.”
One of the show’s producers, Nathan Alexander, elaborates a little more saying, “You haven’t experienced horror until you’ve seen it live on stage. The show is thrilling, chilling and we couldn’t be more excited for Australia to experience the rollercoaster that is Ghost Stories.”
If the name Realscape Productions sounds familiar, it because the company is known for luring audiences into shipping containers across the country for Darkfield’s spine-tingling multi-sensory immersive theatre experiences such as Flight, Coma and the upcoming Séance.
Realscape Amy Johnson explained, “Our mission is to present events and theatre experiences that aren’t typically offered here in Australia. When we first presented Darkfield it was completely different to anything anyone had experienced before, with 360 degree audio in total darkness.
“Ghost Stories will have the same impact; there’s nothing else on stage like it. The jump scares of a horror movie, the narrative of a psychological thriller and the incredible calibre of stagecraft that comes with West End theatre.”
Consider us sold.
Ghost Stories will show at the Athenaeum Theatre Melbourne starting on 16 September 2022 and run through to 22 October 2022. It is not suitable for audiences under 15 years old or those with a nervous disposition. The play runs for 80 minutes without intermission. Tickets to Ghost Stories are now on sale at ghoststoriestheshow.com.au.
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