Terror under the arches in Wightwater

Longlisted for the Royal Exchange Theatre's Bruntwood Prize back in 2022, actor/writer/theatre-maker Frankie Lipman's nerve-jangling debut play Wightwater gets a belated premiere at Manchester city centre venue 53Two (October 29-November 7).

In a dingy radio booth, a washed-up radio host clings to the threads of her career. Left alone to present The Paranormal Show, Terie spins kitsch haunted-house jingles and cereal ads to a dwindling audience. But tonight something’s listening. And it’s broadcasting back.

Frankie said: "Theatre has always embraced fear and suspense but we don't often see those classic horror narratives around women. Wightwater was written as a powerhouse part for an older actress - complex, commanding and, hopefully, terrifying. Horror isn't just for screens, it belongs in the theatre and it belongs to everyone."

 Oliver Hurst, co-director and artistic director of producing Red Brick Theatre, said: "It’s great to be back at 53two with Frankie’s wonderful debut play - a play that will really excite audiences with its edge-of-your-seat tension and lots to be laughed at."

The cast features Isobel Middleton (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Emmerdale; Much Ado About Nothing, Northern Broadsides), Dylan Morris (Hollyoaks), and Barney Thompson (Casualty; Vignettes, Hope Mill

Theatre).

More info and tickets here