Following the successes of HighTide Rising in May and Herring Girls: greater than we are alone at Lowestoft’s First Light Festival in June, HighTide today announces Ghost Stories by Candlelight, commissioned as the first tour under new Artistic Director Clare Slater.
Opening at Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds on 13 October, Ghost Stories by Candlelight will tour the East of England through Autumn before a short run at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from 23-25 November. These chilling tales, accompanied by haunting folk music, present a modern twist on the genre from East Anglia, the home of the ghost story. Written by Kelly Jones, Shamser Sinha and Nicola Werenowska, directed by Elayce Ismail and with music and songs composed by Georgia Shackleton.
Clare Slater, HighTide Artistic Director of HighTide said today, “I am delighted to have commissioned four of the best storytellers in East Anglia to share an evening of fiercely contemporary ghost stories. Through music, song and story, Ghost Stories by Candlelight celebrates the people, landscape and fragile natural world of our region. We can’t wait to tour it far and wide across the East of England and then transfer it to the stunning Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in London during their 10 year anniversary season.”
Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, Michelle Terry said today, “I am so delighted to partner with the genius HighTide. Ghost Stories by Candlelight finds the perfect home in our Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. I know audiences will delight in discovering new writing talent from East Anglia – with contemporary ghost stories mixed alongside haunting folk music – it’s certain to be a captivating wintry must-see!”
The tour opens on the auspicious date of Friday 13 October at the region’s most atmospheric venue, the Theatre Royal Bury in St Edmunds. Artistic Director, Owen Calvert Lyons said today, “Working with our friends at HighTide, we have created a ghostly, autumnal experience, bringing chilling tales and music to a contemporary audience. Great actors telling spine-chilling ghost stories, under flickering candlelight, whilst immersed in the haunting strings of East Anglian folk music; this production celebrates the best of this unique region.”
HighTide has worked with hand-picked writers from the region to create an evening of tales which will unsettle and unnerve. Essex playwright Kelly Jones said today, “Ghost stories are one of the most accessible forms of storytelling. I have absolutely loved playing with the genre to create something contemporary that’s sole purpose is to scare.”
Often writing with a diverse and political edge, Ipswich-based playwright Shamser Sinha said today, “As a writer with an Indian heritage, it’s hard to get the chance to write a rural story because that’s not what the industry wants from me. But I’m getting to do it now!”
