Photo Flash: AFRAID OF THE DARK Begins Tonight Charing Cross Theatre

Afraid of the Dark is making its World Premiere in London this autumn, playing at The Charing Cross Theatre now through 26 October, with a press night tonight 11 September. Afraid of the Dark is a new brand of theatrical terror that paralyzes the audience with fear. Everyone is afraid of something. What scares you when the lights go out? Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

50's Hollywood, A failing B-movie producer and his team struggle to find the next terrifying blockbuster. A mysterious stranger appears - blurring the line between nightmare and reality while worming his way into their minds, exploiting their very worst fears...... Where does your nightmare begin?

Charlie Anson will play 'Roger Maxwell' (a handsome and ambitious man whose charms have only gotten him so far), Rebecca Blackstone will play 'Sandra Callaghan' (smart, independent, and beautiful who has seen it all, especially when it comes to men ...and with a very dark secret), Julian Forsyth will play 'Dr Henry Charlier' (man of mystery), John Guerrasio will play 'Julius Bernstein' (an arrogant, pushy, demanding sonofabitch producer - think Louis B. Mayer) and Mark Rice-Oxley will play 'Herschell Blank' (nervy, offbeat and talented writer who is...stuck).

Charlie Anson's TV credits include 'Doctor Who', 'Downton Abbey', 'The Borgias', 'Any Human Heart' and 'Rome', and on stage he has appeared in Peter Hall's 'Portrait of a Lady' at the Theatre Royal, Bath, 'Arcadia' at the Manchester Library Theatre and the Rupert Goold's forthcoming musical adaptation of 'American Psycho' at the Almeida. Film credits include the horror film 'The Deaths of Ian Stone'.

Rebecca Blackstone has recently starred as 'Pree', the new on-board computer in 'Red Dwarf X, Fathers and Suns'. Her West End stage credits include 'The Sunshine Boys' (Savoy), and 'Cool Hand Luke' (Aldwych).

Julian Forsyth's extensive theatre credits include 'Woman In Black' (Fortune Theatre and National Tour), Dr Dillamond in 'Wicked', 'Cyrano de Bergerac' (Chichester) and 'Rosancrantz and Guildenstern are Dead' (National Theatre). As Associate Director of Greenwich Studio Theatre in the mid-1990s, Julian won a Time Out Award and the London Fringe Best Director Award for his adaptations of plays from Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

New Yorker John Guerrasio began his career with the acclaimed Roundabout Theatre. West End credits include 'Betrayal' (Comedy), 'Conversations With My Father' (Old Vic), 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (Strand) and 'Burn This' (Lyric). He will be seen later this year on 'Nixon's The One' (Sky) while past TV work includes 'As Time Goes By', 'Brass Eye', 'The Armando Iannucci Show', 'Cambridge Spies' and 'Hoover Dam'.

Mark Rice-Oxley theatrical credits include 'Blood Brothers' (Phoenix Theatre, West End), 'Much Ado About Nothing, 'Merchant of Venice', and 'Holding Fire' (Shakespeare's Globe), 'Pool (No Water)' (Frantic Assembly), 'The Romans in Britain' (Crucible, Sheffield), 'The Life of Galileo' (Birmingham Rep Theatre), and 'David Copperfield' (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

Afraid of the Dark will be directed by Olivier Award winner Ian Talbot. Ian was artistic and managing director at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre 1971 - 2008 and his extensive directing credits include High Society, Anything Goes, The Pirates of Penzance and The Invisible Man. The production is designed by Paul Farnsworth, who has collaborated with Ian Talbot on many productions at Regent's Park, including Much Ado About Nothing The Fantasticks, Lady Be Good and HMS Pinafore, as well as work at Chichester, with the RSC and in the West End.

Lighting designer Jason Taylor has lit numerous productions in the UK and internationally including 20 seasons at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Recent credits include Our Boys in the West End and Di and Viv and Rose at Hampstead.

Illusionist Darren Lang combines his background in theatre performing and magic to create bespoke illusions for stage and screen. Credits include Mrs Affleck at the NT (alongside Paul Keive), Doctor Faustus (Royal Exchange, Manchester), Alice in Wonderland (New Vic) and Some Like it Hip Hop (Peacock).

Afraid of the Dark is produced by Maberry Theatricals, Morris Berchard, Steven M. Levy and Sean Sweeney. The playwright has chosen to remain anonymous...for now...

NOTE: Afraid of the Dark is not suitable for children under 12, those of a nervous disposition or for those suffering with serious heart conditions.

The show will run at Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL. Box Office: 08444 930 650. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Monday - Thursday @ 8pm, Friday @ 6.30 and 9pm, Saturday 4pm and 8pm. TICKET PRICES £10.00 - £29.50. Visit www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk for more information.

Photo Credit: Eric Richmond

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