Michael Cox reviews ‘a fun ride from start to finish’.
Like most adrenaline rides, Ghost Stories is all about the thrill. And part of the fun in that is knowing as little as possible going in.
So, for those just wanting a brief verdict: Ghost Stories is a tense 90-minute punch that is entertaining and contains a consistent feeling of dread that pays off with a series of laughs and jolts. It works well and is thoroughly entertaining, and anyone brave enough or interested enough in seeing such a production will find much to enjoy here.
However, for those wanting a little more context…
Ghost Stories has been around for a while, not only touring the UK in the past but having been adapted into a film version—a film that is actually quite faithful to the original source. With its clever theatrics and compelling storytelling, it’s easy to see why this keeps coming back to life.
A sceptical professor is giving a lecturer on the paranormal. It all starts simply enough with an entertaining history lesson and demonstrations in how the human mind can easily be tricked. But then the professor decides to share three troubling case histories—stories of possible supernatural occurrences that are gripping but might have reasonable explanations to ‘debunk’ them. Or do they?
It is in the telling of these three stories where the production really shines, for these tales are staged with impressive set pieces and creepy special effects.
From a theatrical point of view, Ghost Stories has a lot to admire. It indeed racks up the tension for its whole 90-minute running time: the stories are absorbing, and the lecture that ties everything together is in itself entertaining.
But it isn’t perfect. Many of the jump scares aren’t fully earned—the sound design is a bit ‘much’, and while each story has a thrilling ‘encounter’ at its core, the key moment in each feels too brief to fully land a satisfying impact.
Be that as it may, Ghost Stories is still a lot of fun. It is well executed, has solid performances and knows how to spin a compelling yarn. And while it might not be the most effective chiller out there, it’s still a fun ride from start to finish. Oh, and make sure to beware of moments when the emergency exit lights go out.
Ghost Stories is at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow until April 12, 2025 before continuing its UK tour. For further details, go to the production website.
Photo by Hugo Glendinning.
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