I went to see Ghost Stories at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh on the 26th of March, and I have to admit—I didn’t actually enjoy it. Not because it was a bad show, but because it genuinely scared me. I suppose that means it did its job well! I’m not usually one for horror, and while I went in hoping for something atmospheric and thought-provoking, I left shaken and, embarrassingly, had nightmares afterwards. If you’re a fan of horror theatre, you shouldn’t expect anything particularly groundbreaking in terms of storytelling, but you can definitely count on plenty of jump scares.
The play, written by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, follows Professor Goodman, a parapsychologist, as he investigates three different supernatural encounters. Without giving away any spoilers (as the production specifically asks the audience to keep its secrets), the structure is simple—three separate ghost stories, each with its own eerie setting and unsettling encounter.
The problem is the stories themselves aren’t especially original. If you’ve seen or read a fair amount of horror, you’ll likely find the scenarios fairly predictable, following well-worn tropes of the genre. That being said, Ghost Stories doesn’t rely on originality to frighten its audience—it relies on sheer, relentless stagecraft. The sound design is aggressive, with sudden, deafening noises that jolt you out of your seat. The lighting is incredibly effective, using darkness and precise flashes to create an overwhelming sense of dread. Even when I knew a scare was coming (and trust me, you can often tell), it still got me every time. It’s not subtle, but it works.
The reactions in the theatre were proof enough—people were jumping, gasping, even letting out full-blown screams. I laughed at myself more than once after being caught off guard, but I also spent a good portion of the show watching through my fingers.
The cast does a solid job with their roles. Dan Tetsell plays Professor Goodman with an entertaining mix of scepticism and showmanship, keeping the audience engaged even in the slower moments. Of the three individual stories, I found David Cardy’s performance as Tony Matthews the most compelling—he brings a level of frustration and vulnerability to his role that makes his segment feel the most grounded. Eddie Loodmer-Elliott is amusing as Simon Rifkind, playing the stereotypical nervous teenager, while Clive Mantle’s portrayal of Mike Priddle adds a bit of pompous charm to the mix. Their performances keep things entertaining, even when the script itself leans a little too hard into horror clichés.
One of the more interesting aspects of the play is how it plays with psychology and belief. It touches on the way fear manipulates our perceptions and how guilt and trauma can shape our experiences of the supernatural. However, the show doesn’t fully commit to exploring these ideas, instead prioritising its scare tactics over deeper thematic engagement. The finale, in particular, left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. It attempts to tie everything together in a clever way, but for me, it came off as more chaotic than impactful.
Ultimately, Ghost Stories is exactly what it sets out to be—a theatrical haunted house experience. If you’re looking for nuanced horror or a gripping, original narrative, you might be disappointed. But if you enjoy jump scares and the thrill of being on edge for 90 minutes, it absolutely delivers.
Personally, I found it too intense to actually enjoy, but that’s on me. For those who love a good fright, it’s a fun (if slightly predictable) ride, and you’ll definitely get your fair share of heart-stopping moments. Just don’t expect to sleep soundly afterwards!
Reviewer: Nazaret Ranea
Reviewed: 26th March 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 3 out of 5.
