You’d think that a grown man who saw The Exorcist before he’d turned 18 and been on more spooky Halloween events than is good for anyone would be more than prepared for the opening of GHOST STORIES at the Wales Millennium Centre last night. Well think again.
What makes it worse is that I’ve actually seen the movie, so theoretically should have known what was coming, but no, the play got me, and the rest of the audience on multiple occasions.
This is going to be a difficult review to write, and more than a little vague. When the show is over the loud, booming voice from the speakers, tells us to keep the secret and not let anyone in on what we’ve just seen. What it also should have said is to come armed with a spare pair of pants. There will be a chance you’ll pee yourself with the numerous shocks.
Having said that, the show is also funny, thought provoking and incredibly well staged.
The less you know about Ghost Stories the better your experience will be, and even if you are waiting for the inevitable, when and how it happens will genuinely scare the beejeepers out of you. What makes the whole experience even more enjoyable (if that’s the right word), is that you share it with a packed Donald Gordon auditorium and the reaction of the audience is as much fun as the play.
Case in point is the 6 foot something rugby player type man in front of me who towered above his seat. He spent most of the performance cowering behind his hands or making excuses to his partner that he had to bend down and pick something up. Just admit it fella – you were scared out of your wits like the rest of us.
This isn’t a spoiler because you don’t know precisely when the opening comes. Just make sure you’re sat in your seat, holding onto the arms of the person next to you. It all kicks off with one almighty bang and takes you on a ride filled with twists, turns and a lot of misdirection.
Things happen in and around the auditorium, and at one point you’ll wonder just who in the audience is real or a ‘plant’. This is really unnerving but also funny as the audience move uncomfortably in their seat and laugh nervously. The show is fantastic but the whole theatrical experience even more so.
The actual start of the play is riveting in itself. Professor Goodman (DAN TETSELL) brings his parapsychology experience to the stage in a lecture form. He asks us who believes in ghosts and then sets about debunking their sheer existence. To be honest, the actual lecture section is really fascinating and sets up the plot really well.
The mood is set and the Professor then takes us through his three ghost stories, each a little more intense and terrifying. And here is where the review gets a little vague (we promised you it would be spoiler free).
We have the grumpy old nightwatchman played by DAVID CARDY. The seemingly well to do, and phone obsessed businessman Mike Priddle (CLIVE MANTLE) and Mummy’s boy Simon Rifkind (EDDIE LOODMER-ELLIOTT).
The ever moving and changing set is clever and unnerving, in equal measure. You really won’t know where to look, and even if you did it’ll still catch you out.
Director SEAN HOLMES has done a masterful job in turning the ordinary into something extraordinarily creepy. Torches, headlights, and a whole manner of everyday stuff has the power to hit you where it matters and keep you well off balance.
Everything about GHOST STORIES is chilling, immersive, creepy and unnerving and will leave you talking about the story long after you leave the theatre.
Just be aware there’s an age restriction of 15+ and the show contains strong language, strobe lighting and loud bangs.
The theatre tell us that……‘Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.’
GHOST STORIES is at Wales Millennium Centre through till Saturday 2nd August. The show begins promptly at 7:30pm, or 2:30pm is you’re going to the Thursday or Saturday matinee and runs for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, with no interval – so don’t be late.
For more details and to get your tickets go HERE.
