The Canterville Ghost

Four actors holding a cloth and facing the camera. They are all in smart Victorian-era clothing and look shocked.

The Canterville Ghost

Four audacious artistes perform Oscar Wilde’s spine-chilling ghost story for your delight and delectation.

Interspersed with their own sensational acts, a comedian, a magician, a psychic and their charismatic compere tell the story of Sir Simon de Canterville, who disappeared mysteriously 300 years ago – after being accused of murder.

When the thoroughly modern Otis family move into Sir Simon’s former residence they’re warned about the fearsome phantom that haunts the Hall. But has anyone warned the Canterville Ghost about them?

The Canterville Ghost has toured the UK, most recently completing a residency at Southwark Playhouse where it was nominated for an Offie for Best Performance Ensemble.

Pithy and poignant, exceedingly clever and quite simply a delight.

The 730 Review

An actor wearing a top hat looks mysteriously off to the left. He is holding an open book with fire emitting from the pages. — © Charles Flint Photography

A group of actors in period costumes perform a scene on stage. A grey-haired man in a checked suit gestures expressively while three others, dressed in Victorian attire with top hats and waistcoats, watch from behind a wooden piano under warm stage lighting. — © Charles Flint Photography

Two actors clutch pillows and scream in fright as a ghostly figure looms behind them with raised hands in a comedic stage scene. The characters wear period costumes under dramatic stage lighting, capturing a moment of playful horror. — © Charles Flint Photography

A performer in a bowler hat and striped trousers interacts with a ventriloquist dummy dressed similarly in a blue shirt and braces. The two appear to share a lively exchange under stage lighting, suggesting a humorous or whimsical theatre scene. — © Charles Flint Photography

An actor in a tuxedo gestures at a theatre curtain, which is revealing two actors with a spooky appearance. — © Charles Flint Photography

Four actors in Victorian costume look into the camera seriously. They are arranged into a posed group collected around the back of a wooden piano. — © Charles Flint Photography

A man in a pinstripe suit is lighting a candle.

Inventive, delightful and hilarious.

The Scotsman

Such a smart, innovative show…a tribute to the genius of Oscar Wilde.

Theatre Weekly

Ingenious, comic and poignant.

Edinburgh Guide

Pithy and poignant, exceedingly clever and quite simply a delight.

The 730 Review

Tall Stories have…shown up most of the other acts at the Fringe.

The Skinny

Previous Team Members

The Comedian

Matt Jopling (original production)

The Compere

Steve McCourt (original production), Steve Watts

The Illusionist

Tom Jude (original production), Callum Patrick-Hughes

The Psychic

Lauren Silver (original production), Katie Tranter

Company Stage Manager

Fiona McCulloch (original production), Emma Eldridge-Doyle

Production

Director: Olivia Jacobs
Dramaturg: Toby Mitchell
Designer: Barney George
Music & Lyrics: Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw (with the company) for JollyGoodTunes
‘One Last Toast’: Tom Jude
Incidental Music: Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw for JollyGoodTunes and Steve McCourt
Lighting Designer: Peter Harrison
Choreographer: Morag Cross
Costume Supervisor: Martin Rodges
Magic Supervisor: Scott Penrose
Production Manager: Fiona McCulloch
Scenic Construction: Dick George
Design Assistant: Stella Backman
Publicity Design: Dewynters

Thanks to:

All at Warwick Arts Centre; Fiona McCulloch; St Luke’s Church, Holloway; Theatre Peckham; Lakeside Arts Nottingham; Amber Donovan; Wally (rehearsal dog); Ruby; the Tall Stories board of trustees.