As someone who shrieks and jumps out of their skin at the unexpected - to the abject embarrassment of their nearest and dearest - I approached reviewing Ghost Stories with trepidation.

The magnificent almost two centuries old Newcastle Theatre Royal could not be a more appropriate venue for the spine-tinging show.

It is widely rumoured that the theatre’s renowned resident Victorian ghost, ‘The Grey Lady’ plunged to her death from a theatre box after falling head over heels for a dastardly scoundrel of an actor who renegued on his promise to marry her.

A scary build up to the performance, which premiered 14 years ago and has toured globally since, set the scene perfectly. Spooky sound effects redolent of dungeons and the disconcerting drip, drip, drip of water underground left the audience in no doubt as to what is in store.

An announcement also warned that theatre goes who left their seats during the drama would not be readmitted.

In another unusual twist, I received a request in my programme to avoid ‘spoilers’ by not revealing the outcome of the drama, which has also been adapted into a film.

Andy Nyman, who co-wrote and co-directs the stage version of Ghost Stories with Jeremy Dyson and Sean Holmes, explains the rationale behind the secretiveness: “Nowadays everything is spoiled for you. Every single film and television trailer ruins plot points. Jeremy and I love the experience of telling people a really good story without them knowing anything about it in advance. You feel the buzz in the audience; it’s an exciting thing to sit and watch.”

What I can reveal is that the central character, Professor Goodman - played by Dan Tetsell who excelled in the challenging role - is an arch-sceptic set on debunking the paranormal.

The Professor embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings through a compelling 90-minute emotional rollercoaster.

The hauntings are recounted by a night-watchman played superbly by David Cardy, a teenage boy impressively portrayed by Eddie Loodmer-Elliott - and Clive Mantle who was outstanding as a businessman awaiting his first child.

David Cardy. Image courtesy of Hugo Glendinning

Eddie Loodmer-Elliott. Image courtesy of Hugo Glendinning

Clive Mantle. Image courtesy of Hugo Glendinning

The nuances and depths of the diverse characters they portrayed is key to maintaining the escalating tension of the goosebump inducing performance.

A talented creative team – including Scott Penrose for Special Effects, Sound Designer Nick Manning and Lighting Designer. James Farncombe - is also instrumental to the show’s success.

Jon Bauser’s impeccable set design flawlessly transports us into numerous ghostly backdrops which sustain an element of fear and apprehension as the play hurtles towards its frightening finale.

When the final announcement ironically wished us all goodnight and hoped that we ‘sleep well’, I resigned myself to a wakeful night. I dare you to take the plunge into the darkness.

Ghost Stories plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 22 – Sat 26 Apr 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010. For additional venues, visit https://ghoststoriesplay.com