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Do things really go bump in the night?
While audiences are pre-warned that Ghost Stories contains both sudden shocks and psychological tension – and it’s also said to be unsuitable for anyone with a nervous disposition or those under 15 years old – after watching last night’s 90 minute performance at Milton Keynes Theatre, I felt those warnings were somewhat over-hyped.
Ghost Stories is certainly a unique production which tends to exploit audiences’ expectations and trepidation as it seek to explore paranormal activity.
We’re introduced to a sceptic professor who is seeking to debunk the paranormal as he investigates three individual hauntings that have been reported by a night-watchman, a teenage boy and a businessman whose wife is expecting their first child.
Obviously don’t I want you give out any spoilers here, but seeing Professor Goodman (Dan Tetsell) delve into each story, he finds himself beginning to question himself as the on-stage action is ramped up thanks to James Farncombe’s clever lighting along with a host of various creepy sounds which creates plenty of psychological suspense and adds the creepy atmosphere and tension.
Tony Matthews is played by David Cardy and is the frustrated night watchman who recalls his paranormal experiences in his warehouse late at night.
Alan Wooding reviews Ghost Stories which is playing Milton Keynes Theatre all this week
There’s Eddie Loodmer-Elliott who portrays nervous teenager driver Simon Rifking returning from a university party who provides us with comedic moments.
We then meet Clive Mantle playing businessman Mike Priddle who relates the story of how he and his wife want to start a family... and they end up being affected by some ghostly goings-on!
Also in the cast are Lucas Albion and Simon Bass, the pair being understudies as well as portraying The Others.
With the ear-splitting screams and deep base notes plus those eerie sound effects coming from different areas around the auditorium, sound engineer Nick Manning has certainly added to the atmosphere although some of the special effects turned out to be rather more humorous than scary which meant there was quite a bit of laughter emitting the audience.
Written and directed by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson, Ghost Stories plays Milton Keynes Theatre until this coming Saturday with tickets prices from £15 by ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes
David Cardy plays nightwatchman Tony Matthews while below is Simon Rifkind (Eddie Loodmer-Elliott) in his father's car.
