BWW Reviews: GHOST STORIES Thrills And Chills Sydney Audiences

Monday 13th July, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson's horror play, GHOST STORIES challenges the notion of fear and its manifestation in the belief in ghosts. The hit West End play that premiered in 2010 is set to terrify Sydney audiences as the mystery of the plot remains as everyone who has seen it is requested to keep the secret to themselves.

The premise of the work is that Professor Goodman (Lynden Jones), a specialist in Parapsychology is providing a lecture on ghosts and specifically, the people that believe they have witnessed ghosts and paranormal activity. Utilising a combination of photographs, video, and stories which are played out, Professor Goodman challenges the notion of ghosts.

Director Peter J Snee has given the work the right pace and combined with Lana Kristensen's sound design and Christopher Page's lighting design, will have audience members with a nervous disposition, ducking for cover from the start. Natanya Shearer-Stanton's set is clever and ensures that each story is distinct, all the while carrying an ominous tone as the nightwatchman Tony Matthews (John Gregg), teenage driver Simon Rifkind (Aleks Miki?) and yuppie dad Mike Priddle (Ben Wood) share their encounters.

As someone who is open to suggestion and easily spooked, the warning in the media release and the play's description that says this is not for the faint hearted should not be taken lightly. Additionally, it is advised that it is unsuitable for children under 15 and Sydney Opera House will only allow children between 12 and 14 attend with parental permission, but I'd suggest that if you'd like your children to sleep at night, find something else to see. There are moments of lightness and comedy breaking the tension but the overall result left me walking away rattled and hyper alert.

GHOST STORIES

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

8 July - 15 August 2015

Photo: Liam O'Keefe