Haunted: Ghost Story Readings for Halloween

Dumfries Theatre Royal Studio

This Halloween at Dumfries Theatre Royal actors from Demi-paradise Productions will be giving live readings of ghostly tales by three of Scotland’s finest female writers – Muriel Spark, Kate Clanchy and Muriel Gray. ‘Haunted’ is a different kind of listening entertainment, ideal for curious adults and children over 11 who love fictional narratives exploring all aspects of the supernatural. Read under atmospheric lighting in the intimate setting of the Studio Theatre this event promises to be a fitting and distinctive way to spend the evening of 31st October.

WRITERS & STORIES

Muriel Spark (1918- 2006) To celebrate the 100th anniversary of her birth we are thrilled to present a double bill of Muriel Spark’s supernatural short form fiction, The Executor and Another Pair of Hands. Both tales brilliantly display the writer’s mischievous and witty style, giving a humorous look at human frailties in fulfilling promises and obligations to the deceased.

Kate Clanchy came to prominence as the winner of the 2009 BBC Short Story Award. Originally commissioned by English Heritage The Wall was inspired by the writer’s 2017 residency at Housesteads Roman Fort. A moving tale of family loss and redemption played out on modern day Hadrian’s Wall her compelling narrative is as satisfying and original as a good ghost story can be.

Muriel Gray is a well known artist, writer and broadcaster. Her passion for horror and fantasy is lifelong and her novels The Trickster, Furnace and The Ancient are all supernatural thrillers. The demi-paradise offering is Muriel’s 2012 short story, Front Row Rider, which explores the psychic bonds between two strangers in contemporary London whose interaction will either save or destroy lives.

THE READERS

Sue McCormick is based locally in Moniaive. She has worked in theatres nationwide, including Royal Exchange, Library, Palace and Opera House in Manchester, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Oldham Coliseum, Theatre by the Lake Keswick, New Vic Stoke, Dukes Lancaster as well as touring extensively with Northern Broadsides and Hull Truck Theatre. TV includes Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Holby City, Casualty and Where the Heart Is. She has recorded several plays for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Learning Online. Sue also works as a theatre director and playwright. www.suemccormick.net

Stephen Tomlin has worked extensively for the last 46 years as an actor in television, theatre and radio. Audio includes numerous commercial voiceovers, educational narratives and roles in BBC R4 series The Archers, Writing the Century and Home Front. Based in Lancaster for many years Stephen produced Shakespeare and Christmas productions at Lancaster Castle under the demi-paradise banner from 2000 to 2016. He now lives in the Northumberland National Park with his partner, the artist & children’s picture book writer, Kim Lewis. www.stephentomlin.co.uk