Currently haunting the Theatre Royal Nottingham as part of its first full UK tour, Ghost Stories proves why it has become a worldwide cult phenomenon. Written and directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, the production manages the rare feat of bringing genuine horror to the stage — no easy task — and does so with a tightness and cleverness that immediately captures its audience.
The script is particularly impressive in the way it weaves its threads. Seemingly disparate elements are carefully layered, resulting in a structure that feels natural yet meticulously plotted. Every detail appears deliberate, rewarding the audience’s attention without feeling heavy-handed.
On a practical level, the show makes excellent use of the relatively limited stage space. Each set piece is memorable, achieving impact without ever seeming cramped or overcomplicated. Jon Bausor’s set and costume designs work hand-in-glove to evoke an atmosphere that is both grounded and uncanny, while James Farncombe’s lighting design is deft and striking, shifting moods seamlessly and contributing significantly to the building sense of dread. The sound design by Nick Manning deserves particular praise; its use throughout the auditorium ensures that the tension is not confined to the stage, but permeates the whole theatre.
One of the production’s greatest achievements is its ability to play with audience expectations. Ghost Stories knows the tropes of horror theatre and cinema intimately, and uses that familiarity to its advantage. It lures you into a false sense of security, only to pull the rug out from under you at just the right moment. The shifts in tone — from wry humour to creeping dread — are handled with precision, allowing the audience to relax just enough before the next jolt arrives.
The tension isn’t created by spectacle alone; it’s the careful layering of suggestion, silence, and misdirection that makes the scares land so effectively. This is where Dyson and Nyman’s direction is at its most skillful. While a few scenes veer into broader characterisation than the script seems to warrant, the overall atmosphere remains taut and immersive. It’s the kind of production that primes the audience to lean in — and then punishes them for doing so.
Dan Tetsell takes on the central role of Professor Phillip Goodman and delivers a decent performance, capturing the scepticism and occasional vulnerability of the character, although at times a little more depth might have elevated key emotional beats. Some of the supporting characters, too, feel slightly one-note — a directorial choice that doesn’t always match the more nuanced subtleties of the script. However, these are relatively minor gripes in a production that otherwise balances its tones very well.
The pacing is finely judged. At no point does the play sag, and the tension is expertly sustained throughout, even as the narrative shifts between very different types of horror. Special effects by Scott Penrose are deployed effectively, adding to the overall feeling of unease without tipping into gimmickry.
What’s also remarkable is how well the production works within its theatrical limitations. There are no vast digital projections or overwhelming visual effects here — just sharp design choices, confident pacing, and a refusal to spoon-feed. The result is a deeply theatrical kind of horror, rooted in suggestion, psychological unease, and carefully measured visual cues. It respects its audience’s intelligence, and trusts them to connect the dots.
In a time when horror is often about excess, Ghost Stories reminds us that less can be more — especially when it’s crafted with such care. As the lights come up and the audience exhales, there’s a sense that what’s truly unnerving about the experience lingers, well beyond the curtain call.
Ghost Stories remains a powerful reminder that horror, when handled with intelligence and care, can be just as potent on stage as on screen. If you think you’re brave enough, it’s an evening you won’t easily forget.
Audiences looking for a chilling night out should absolutely make their way to the Theatre Royal Nottingham, where Ghost Stories runs from Tuesday 29 April to Saturday 3 May 2025 as part of its full UK national tour.
Photography throughout from Hugo Glendinning.
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