GHOST STORIES. CURVE LEICESTER

Ghost Stories has already spooked thousands in London’s West End, toured internationally, and even made it to the big screen. Now this cult hit is back touring the UK. It’s a bone-chilling blend of theatre and psychological thriller.

Created by Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen) and Andy Nyman (co-creator of many of Derren Brown’s most jaw-dropping stage and TV shows), Ghost Stories is part stage play, part thrill ride. It’s a masterclass in tension, drawing on classic horror tropes while serving up a theatrical experience that feels fresh, clever and intimate.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. This review will, by necessity, remain vague. Why? Because from the start, reviewers (and the audience) are politely, but firmly, asked not to reveal the twists and turns that lie within. And for good reason. Ghost Stories thrives on surprise. It’s rare to see a show in today’s spoiler-saturated culture where you genuinely don’t know what’s coming next. That’s a large part of its fun.

What I can tell you is that we’re introduced to Professor Goodman (Dan Tetsell), a sceptical academic delivering a lecture on the paranormal. His intention? To debunk it. With calm rationality, he recounts three cases of supposed hauntings, each one told through the eyes of a very different character: a nervous night watchman (David Cardy), a jittery teenage boy (Eddie Loodmer-Elliott), and a successful businessman (Clive Mantle) anxiously awaiting the birth of his first child.

These individual stories unfold in front of us, each more unsettling than the last. The cast is excellent. Mantle brings a raw, anxious energy to his role. The performances are naturalistic, grounding the weirdness in something very real.

The staging is atmospheric. It’s dark and shadowy, drawing you in with clever design choices and some very effective lighting. Sound design is a crucial part of the experience, sharp, sudden, and relentless. You’ll jump, more than once. And you’ll laugh too, nervously, as the show toys with the audience. It’s clear this production has been engineered with precision.

A small grumble: backstage noise occasionally cuts through the tension as sets are moved around. It’s a minor distraction in an otherwise immersive production, but one that slightly breaks the spell at times.

If you’re a fan of shows like Inside No. 9, Black Mirror, or The League of Gentlemen, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here. There’s a similar cocktail of dark humour, moral unease and creeping dread. Ghost Stories is more than just a scare-fest; it’s a carefully constructed piece of theatre that knows how to keep its audience in the palm of its hand.

Go in knowing as little as possible. Come out laughing nervously. And whatever you do, don’t spoil it for anyone else. On at Curve till Saturday 7th June.