It Walks Around the House at Night review – jump scares and spine tingles as a pretend ghost gets really spooked

A struggling actor's dream gig turns into a nightmare when he starts to suspect there are other ghosts lurking around Paragon Hall. Joe, played by George Naylor, has been hired by handsome stranger David to simply circle the grounds of the country estate as part of an elaborate ruse, with the aim of boosting his income and flexing his acting muscles.

The tour's ThickSkin production seamlessly blends elements of classic 19th-century Gothic literature with modern horror film thrills. The story unfolds largely through Joe's narration, punctuated by Paul Hilton's omniscient voiceover, whose atmospheric eloquence provides a rich backdrop for the eerie setting of Paragon Hall.

Award-winning writer Tim Foley's script delivers some truly spine-tingling moments, thanks in no small part to Neil Bettles' deft direction and Pete Malkin's innovative sound design. The stage features an impressive combination of projection, lighting, and video design, with bare tree trunks that shift and shake like shadows on the screen.

But just when you think things are getting spooky enough, more twists and turns come into play. The entity at the center of the mystery becomes increasingly unsettling, drawing comparisons to a Pan-like mythology.

However, as the story hurtles towards its climax, revelations become rapid-fire and it's hard to keep pace with everything that's happening on stage. Themes such as class privilege and exploitation are glossed over, perhaps to make way for more thrills, spills, and genuinely spine-tingling moments.

Despite some of these plot threads feeling a bit underdeveloped, the show is an absolute treat, especially those thrilling sequences that stay with you long after the curtain falls. If you're looking for something that will keep you on the edge of your seat – and maybe even follow you home – then It Walks Around the House at Night is definitely worth a look-see.

omg u gotta check out this new show 'It Walks Around the House at Night' it's literally so spooky! i saw it w/ friends last nite and we were all on edge the whole time. tho, i did feel like some of the plot was a bit rushed idk if they were trying to pack too much in but overall its def worth a watch the acting is sick esp George Naylor's performance as Joe

I just saw this show at Paragon Hall and OMG, it was SO creepy!!! The special effects were insane! Like, how do they make those shadows on the screen? And that entity at the center of the mystery... *shudders* So many twists and turns, my mind was racing the whole time . I did find some parts a bit hard to follow, like when all these plot threads got tangled up together . But honestly, it's such a thrilling ride! Would def recommend for a good scare

gotta say, I was super stoked to hear about this new show, but by the time it got to the part where they're basically glossing over some major themes, I was like... come on guys, balance out that thrills and spills with a bit of substance, you know? don't get me wrong, it's still super spooky and entertaining, but sometimes I feel like our theatre scene is all about shock value rather than real depth.

OMG, this sounds soooo creepy!!! I'm all about those Gothic vibes & it's great to see some old-school lit mixed with modern horror. The stage design looks insane, especially with that projection & lighting combo! But, gotta say, the pacing feels a bit wonky at times... felt like I was skipping over some important plot points . Still, if you're looking for a good scare & don't mind some bare bones storytelling, then this is the show for you .

"Paragon Hall better watch its step, I just got goosebumps watching it "

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." The plot can get a bit convoluted, but it's still an entertaining ride!

Meh, another "thrilling" experience for the masses . I mean, what's up with these stage shows that are all about jump scares and cheap thrills? Can't they focus on something more substantial for once? Like, I don't know, a decent plot thread or two that doesn't get lost in all the flash and dash . And don't even get me started on how they're glossing over some pretty heavy themes to make way for more...well, thrills . It's like they're trying to distract us from the real issues with a bunch of flashing lights and spooky sounds .

I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE MOST EPIC SHOW AND I'M STILL REELING FROM THE EXPERIENCE ! THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE INSANE, I MEAN WHO NEEDS MOVIES WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A STAGE PRODUCTION THAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU'RE RIGHT THERE IN THE MANSION WITH THE CHARACTERS ! BUT SERIOUSLY, THE ACTING WAS ON POINT AND THE STORY HAD SUCH A GREAT BLEND OF CLASSIC GOTHIC AND MODERN HORROR FILM THRILLS. I DIDN'T SEE IT COMING AT ALL WHEN THOSE TWISTS KICK IN - MY BRAIN WAS LIKE "WHAT IS HAPPENING?????" ! AND THE SOUND DESIGN? FORGET ABOUT IT, I COULD FEEL THE HAUNTS RIGHT IN MY BONES!!!

I JUST WENT TO SEE THIS SHOW AND OH MAN IT WAS SOOO GOOD!!! THE SET DESIGN IS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A HARRY POTTER MOVIE!!! I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO BE THAT SCARY AT FIRST, BUT THEN THINGS STARTED TO GET REALLY WEIRD AND TWISTY!!! I LOVE HOW THEY USED PROJECTION AND LIGHTING TO CREATE THIS AMAZING ATMOSPHERE, IT WAS LIKE WE WERE INSIDE THE PLAY!!! BUT SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE SOME PLOTS ARE A BIT RUSHED AND YOU DON'T GET TO SEE AS MUCH OF THE CHARACTERS' BACKSTORIES. BUT OVERALL, IT'S SUCH A COOL SHOW THAT YOU SHOULD TOTALLY CHECK OUT!!!

I just watched this show and I'm still reeling from it ! The production values are insane, I mean, that stage design is like something out of a dream . But what really got me was the way they wove all these different themes together – class privilege, exploitation, the whole thing feels so real and uncomfortable to watch . Don't get me wrong, it's still super spooky and fun, but sometimes I felt like they were rushing through some of the plot twists . Still, if you're in for a thrill ride that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the show for you !

I just saw this show at Paragon Hall and it was like, woah! The whole atmosphere was so creepy and immersive I mean, as an actor myself, I can appreciate how much talent went into creating that illusion of ghosts lurking around the estate. But what really got me thinking was when I started to notice all the themes they left out – class privilege, exploitation... it's like they were trying to make a point but didn't want to slow down the pace And don't even get me started on how amazing the sound design was! Pete Malkin is pure genius

I just saw this play and I gotta say, it was CRAZY ! The atmosphere in Paragon Hall was so eerie and immersive, I felt like I was right there with Joe, trying to figure out what was going on . But yeah, some of the plot threads did feel a bit rushed, and I wish they'd explored some of the themes more... but that's just me being too analytical . The real kicker for me was when it hit home that this entity wasn't even the main "villain"... so much more to unpack there ! Still though, It Walks Around the House at Night is like... WOW , especially if you're into horror and suspense stuff . Give it a try!