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BrumHour was invited to see Ghost Stories by The Alexandra.

The Alexandra website says:

Please note: Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.

By Julie Wallis twitter.com/NiceNic63

Ghost Stories at
The Alexandra

Written and directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, Ghost Stories is on for just a few more days at The Alexandra. If you’re a fan of creepy, atmospheric, ghosts, ghouls and things that go bump in the night then you truly are in for a great night.

Narrated by Professor Goodman (Joshua Higgott), Ghost Stories is an anthology which introduces us to Simon Rifkind (Gus Gordon) Tony Matthews (Paul Hawkyard) and Mike Priddle (Richard Sutton) as the audience enjoys three traditional Ghost Stories.

Ghost Stories is genuinely scary! There are lots of jumpy moments and I loved every second of this old-school horror. No blood, no gore, no sex, just plenty of skin-crawling horror that gave me goosebumps. I jumped and swore under my breath before anyone had even appeared on stage.

This production also made me wonder ‘how did that happen?’ as I begin to doubt my own eyes! Some lovely special effects with impeccable timing had me clinging on very tightly to my dear husband. He did say the blood flow had returned to normal in his arm by the time we got home!

The acting is wonderful and with James Farncombe’s lighting design, I didn’t feel I was watching a play or looking at a stage, I felt I was invading someone’s memories. It was almost like I was seeing someone’s dreams turn into a nightmare, rather than being in the theatre.

It’s very difficult to convey, especially as the stories and the twist at the end are to remain secret. In the tradition of Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap, audiences are encouraged to keep the secrets of Ghost Stories.

There are a few real stand-out moments for me, but I can’t give any details because they would be spoilers. The entire evening was outstanding. Certainly a night I shall remember for a very long time.

I did notice a lot of nervous giggles from the audience, not because a scene was particularly funny, yes there are a few funny lines but this was the kind of nerves that make people react to fear by laughing. I also heard total silence from the audience, something I have never encountered at any theatre before. More than once I closed my eyes in preparation for some horror, real or imagined.

These proper old-school hauntings all take place in one 90 minute show with no interval and it’s worth noting that latecomers will not be admitted, and if anyone leaves part way through there is no re-admittance. It’s also advertised as unsuitable for under 15.

So are you brave enough to experience Ghost Stories first hand?

Ghost Stories is at The Alexandra until Saturday 11th January. Book tickets with BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.

This isn’t a sponsored post.

When not blogging theatre for #BrumHour, Julie Wallis can be found on her own blog at redandgoldweb.wordpress.com