Having worked before with all three writers involved in this production, I had no hesitation going to see one of the debut performances of Ghost Stories. This is a one act play (55 minutes) written by the partnership of Scott Cartwright and Joshua Coy in collaboration with Kieran Sketchley. Performed in a small, intimate venue, Ghost Series is a fully immersive experience where you believe you are in the woods with our players. The show consists of two characters and five voiceovers, which within the context of the setting, are creepy in the extreme.
Teddy and Jasper go camping overnight in the woods to find the truth about recent bear attacks which have claimed the lives of children and their adult camp leader. Here they confront fears and memories of the past through storytelling around the campfire. This tests their friendship as they unlock the doors which have kept the horror and secrets of the past firmly hidden.
Scott Cartwright (Teddy) and Kieran Sketchley (Jasper) are both accomplished and professional performers and I was completely riveted by their delivery. Very good interaction between the two with great chemistry. The voices of the kids were provided by Ava Vaughan, Luke Green, Sophie McDonald and Maria Lee Vazquez with Brandon Ferguson as Camp Leader Ferguson. These voices blended well, fitting in perfectly with the setting.
To have a performance containing just two onstage actors is challenging but the results here were a captivating scenario which had you gripped through many twists and turns right until the end. I particularly liked the injection of humour alongside the suspense, a method I always enjoy. Without giving too much away, a conclusion was used that I have often done myself, and that is the real horrors out there are not the monsters, but people themselves.
I also liked the pre-show exchanges which gave clues, foreshadowing much of what was to come. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment and I have no hesitation in recommending any future productions of this, or any others from this talented writing team. One last observation; Teddy Bears Picnic really is a creepy song.
Cheers
Antony N Britt
*Some photos taken from social media
Antony N Britt - Author 