Renowned American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle, famous for discrediting hauntings and exposing fake mediums, is invited to attend a seance in what is said to be the most haunted building in England, a building with a horrific history, Blaine Manor. Even the locals won’t set foot there, as all who walk within those grounds will be cursed. But his arrival at the manor has awoken something, something horrific within the walls. As a raging storm closes off Blaine Manor from the outside world, Earle and the others find that what is waiting there is not nearly as horrific as what has entered with him …
The spooky sellout hit haunter is back! Written and directed by Joe O’Byrne, The Haunting of Blaine Manor returns for a three venue Halloween Tour taking in the classic dome featured Kings Arms in Salford, the haunting Hermon Chapel Arts Centre in Oswestry and finishing as part of this year’s London Horror Festival at The Old Red Lion Theatre. Eleven nights of horror spread across three wonderful venues.
In the spirit of M R James, England’s most accomplished ghost story writer (‘Casting the Runes’, ‘Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come To You My Lad’, ‘The Haunted Dolls’ House’) and with a nod to the black and white film classics, O’Byrne’s latest play leaves behind the modern world of his critically acclaimed ‘Tales from Paradise Heights’ series for this, his first period piece. This is his love letter to the works of M R James and to the classic Hollywood film era.
Featuring a firecracker cast of Peter Slater, Jo Haydock, Phil Dennison, Andrew Yates, Daniel Thackeray and Joe O’Byrne, the play features an original chilling sound design and haunting title theme by Justin Wetherill.
LISTINGS
Click on images to go to each site
23rd to 29th October – King’s Arms, Salford
31st October to 2nd November – Hermon Chapel Arts Theatre, Oswestry
