leighgabriel

Stage horror at its very finest... 5*

I often try not to review things I have seen, whether that be on stage or screen. I know the things I enjoy and I know that they may not be the same as other people, so I tend to try not to influence people unless it is something that affects me in a way that I believe needs to be shared.

Enter stage left, Ghost Stories (Seen last night at the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre.). I went in pretty much blind and will even admit to have gotten it confused with another ghost story, 2:22 when I first booked tickets for it.

When it first opened, and a man, seemingly hosting some sort of seminar, asked the crowd how many of them believed in ghosts and the supernatural, I raised my hand, along with many others, because I do believe in ghosts. I also raised my hand when he asked "Do you believe you've had a paranormal experience?", because, plot spoiler, yes, I believe I have.

I didn't know what I, as a viewer, was in for.

What followed, was not a seminar, at all, it was a stage show and as each "ghost story" was told, I felt my mind slowly unravelling as I watched these events take place on a live stage. People should not be able to pull what they pulled off on a live stage, that's what CGI is for. They did it with sleight of hand and deception, I suppose. It was a magic show as much as it was a stage show.

I am not going to go into too many details because one: plot spoilers and two: I don't think I want to recount too many details about what this stage play did to me, emotionally, and psychologically. All I'm gonna say is I have hidden the programme inside my bookcase, to look at it again just reminds me as to how scared I was by this show.

I sat in KFC, after having a stiff drink in a pub, still wondering what I had just seen on stage, but all-the-while knowing that it was brilliant, life-changing even. I now have a newer love for theatre (Like I didn't love it enough already.) and what it can do to you, how it can affect you on certain levels. Ghost Stories, I can proudly say, affected me. It is stage horror at its very finest.

Why did I have to choose horror as one of my favourite genres? Because I'm an idiot who likes to be scared, but then quickly regrets it when he does get scared. This was one of those plays that seriously began to make me question why I would like a genre that almost takes joy in turning me into a physical and emotional wreck, scared to go into the garden in the dark for fear that there may be something supernatural waiting for me. This play brought it all back for me.

If I could give this play 6* out of 5, I would, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have a fun night out. Just don't blame me if you find yourself running up the stairs at night, worrying about that hand reaching out and grabbing your ankle when you're just inches from safety. That is what true horror should do and I can proudly say that Ghost Stories did that to me. I'm almost dreading 2:22 in October.