tue 14/05/2024

Darker Shores, Hampstead Theatre | reviews, news & interviews

Darker Shores, Hampstead Theatre

Darker Shores, Hampstead Theatre

Cod-Victorian ghost story with creepy effects

Haunted darkness: the cast of Michael Punter’s ghostly Darker Shores photo: Robert Day
What’s the appeal of the traditional ghost story? Is it the knowledge that while the victims of the tale quake in their boots, you are perfectly safe and grinning like the Cheshire Cat? Or is it because the supernatural gives us a chance to journey into the weird and fearsome corners of our psyche, all the time kidding ourselves that we are just normal human beings? In Michael Punter’s new ghost story, Darker Shores, which opened last night at the Hampstead Theatre, all the rooms of the haunted house story get an airing.
What’s the appeal of the traditional ghost story? Is it the knowledge that while the victims of the tale quake in their boots, you are perfectly safe and grinning like the Cheshire Cat? Or is it because the supernatural gives us a chance to journey into the weird and fearsome corners of our psyche, all the time kidding ourselves that we are just normal human beings? In Michael Punter’s new ghost story, Darker Shores, which opened last night at the Hampstead Theatre, all the rooms of the haunted house story get an airing.

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I have to whole heartedly agree with the review, I went to see something different and wasn't disappointed, The laughs, the spookiness, the special effects and magic blended excellently to produce a well paced emotional rollercoaster of a play, this is definity something to see. Drop the pantos and musicals and treat yourself to an excellent play, the like i have never seen before. It's a 9/10 from me and as the cast settle down(Tom GH replaced MGatiss at the last minute) I expect it will become slicker and a must see. Well done Hampstead, Michael Punter and Anthony Clarke.

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