Ghost Stories - play

Did anyone else see Ghost Stories while it was at the Lyric Hammersmith? It's heading to the West End this summer, and I loved it so much I think I'm actually going to see it again. I screamed aloud multiple times - it ranks up there with BBC's Ghostwatch* as one of the most frightening things I've ever seen. I tried to review it, though it's really hard to say much without giving it all away. I've embedded the trailer there, anyway, which is worth a look.

It's written by Jeremy Dyson, who wrote The Cranes that Build the cranes, though his theatrical stuff far outranks his fiction. Not only does it fulfill all the ghost geek quotas (phantom smells, moving objects, things you see that the actos don't, the constant sense of unease heightened adrenaline brings...) but it tells a cracking good story too!

I really want more people to discuss and disect it with, though as yet I've been out of luck. Failing that, I'll take any reccommendations for other theatrical ghost stories. The Woman in Black is still ony my to-see list, but does anyone have any others?

*And if you're a ghost story fan who hasn't seen Ghostwatch I feel slightly sorry for you. 1992, Hallowe'en, the first TV show to ever give viewers PTSD. If you can acquire a DVD it's definitely worth it.

I have not seen GHOST STORIES, unfortunately, but I do have a recommendation for you. If you have a chance to see Robert Lloyd Parry's one-man shows of M.R. James ghost stories, do go. Go out of your way, in fact. Parry creates terrific atmosphere as he recites these classic stories in a candle-lit setting. He's on his third set of stories now, I think. The first is available on DVD. There's more information about his tours and the DVD at the web site of the Nunkie Theater Company.

These both sound so wonderful that I am absolutely glowing ghastly green with envy! I guess I have some DVDs to search out very soon.

I found out about Lloyd Parry's play the day after it finished running where I live, and it was the last date in this part of the country for the current tour. Oh, how I fumed! I didn't know he was putting them out on DVD too, though. That's a must-buy.

I'd love to see the Parry performance on DVD, too. Can you tell us the title or any other information about it, rtttt01? I looked for it on Amazon, but couldn't find it; more info would help. Thanks!

You can buy it from the website with paypal. I just googled it, but here's the links.

My bank balance has a small dent in it now...

The Parry/MRJ DVD might only be available through the theater company's web site, I'm not sure. NKKingston's got the link for us, thanks! I think only the first pair of stories has been put out on DVD so far, but he is planning further issues. Parry has a mailing list for further tour and DVD announcements.

I was so lucky to see that first tour, as shown on the DVD. He came to the US for a handful of performances, one at World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs, NY, where I happened to be. The performance was in a smallish hotel meeting room. As we gathered into the dimly lit room, there was a cowled figure hunched perfectly still in a chair at the front, lit mostly by candles. I was in the front row, ten feet from that figure, and when the lights went down and Parry began to speak, it was otherworldly.