Emma McCarthy representing the Dolman Theatre popped into Newport City Radio to tell us about an exciting new play. This is what she had to say:
Not so many weeks ago, I came in to Newport City Radio to talk about Newport Playgoers opening production of their centenary season- Shirley Valentine… but now I’m here to move from one Shirley to another…
You may be aware of Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House? For those that may not know the original, It was published in 1959 and its popularity has more recently been maintained by a popular Netflix series.
As we are all aware (some of us- me included- have already started putting up decorations!) Halloween is just around the corner, and the Newport Playgoers have picked the perfect slot in October for this spooky tale for the second production of their 100th season.
Set in 1959 (the same year the novel was published) we follow a small group of people as they stay in a supposedly haunted mansion. Hill House is described in the script as a “brooding, isolated and innately forbidding mansion located in the original script in Vermont USA, however- in the name of creative licence- Playgoers have felt it more fitting to set the location of their production to somewhere in the English countryside”.
In the play, Dr. Montague sets out to find scientific evidence of the existence of the supernatural. He rents the notorious Hill House for the Summer and invites people whom he has chosen because of their experiences with paranormal events. Of these, only 2 people- Eleanor and Theodora accept. They will live in isolation with Montague and his assistant (and heir to Hill House) Luke. Meanwhile, an unusual housekeeper, Mrs Dudley, repeatedly warns them of the horrors within. Later, Dr. Montague’s wife and her companion Arthur arrive with their more unscientific, traditional approach to spiritualism.
A number of supernatural occurrences and
Unexplained events along with Hill House’s dark history, makes the characters question each other and their own sanity.
Director James Reynolds says: I had it in my head that I wanted to direct something ‘a bit different’ this year, and a Supernatural fiction was top of my list..
I’m thrilled to bring this production to our stage, filled with all the creepy goings on bewitching special effects and fantastic madcap characters this production is a Halloween spooktacular treat that will make you laugh and scream in equal measure.
With a stellar cast – an amazing set building team – and a very talented and patient tech and backstage team NPS present the perfect balance of humour and supernatural scares making this a true Halloween romp suitable for a anyone who loves the Halloween season.
For tickets book online at
www.dolmantheatre.co.uk and visit our Facebook and instagram pages for Newport Playgoers
Performances are 9th-11th sep, mon-fri 7.15pm start and Saturday 2pm start
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