Based on several original ghost stories by Charles Dickens, The Haunting, adapted by Hugh Janes, follows the story of a young man as he visits an ancient manor house to organise the estate of the late owner.

As he begins his work, he is distracted by strange sounds and eerie apparitions and becomes convinced the house is haunted. To solve the mystery, he must journey to the darkest corners of terror to discover the truth.

A suspense-filled tale that’s set to have audiences on the edge of their seats, the production is directed by former New Vic Assistant Director Eleanor Taylor (Associate Director, The Worst Witch, West End; A Play For The Living In A Time of Extinction, Headlong Theatre; Around the World in 80 Days, New Vic) and designed by Michael Holt, the designer behind the iconic West End smash-hit ghost story, The Woman In Black, with Dr Will Houstoun, Illusionist Consultant, creating spine-tingling illusions on the in-the-round stage.

Creating the characters of the play are David Ahmad (Uncle Vanya, Orange Tree Theatre, The Crucible, National Theatre; The Prince and The Pauper, New Vic) as Lord Gray, Jessica Hole (Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall) as Mary, and Richard Leeming (Romeo and Juliet, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Dr Faustus, RSC/Barbican) as David Filde.

Director Eleanor Taylor said: “I am delighted to be directing The Haunting for the New Vic Theatre. This gothic ghost story offers us an incredible opportunity to stage a play full of magic and illusions, and call on the New Vic’s fabulous atmosphere and immersive quality to really place audiences at the heart of this spooky, engaging story. Staging illusions in-the-round is, naturally, far more challenging than in other theatre configurations and I’m really looking forward to working with the team to push our creative boundaries, explore the space and bring this Dickensian tale to life”.

The Haunting takes to the stage at the New Vic from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June 2024. For more information and to book call the Box Office on 01782 717962 or visit newvictheatre.org.uk