The Haunting of Hill House
Stef Smith (based on the novel by Shirley Jackson)
Wiltshire Creative production
Theatr Clwyd, Mold
October 13-17, 2026; 2hrs
(also at Palace, Manchester, October 27-31; Liverpool Playhouse (November 3-7)
How do you explain things that go bump in the night? In the case of The Haunting of Hill House, some quite frequent and very loud bumps. The expression of a deranged mind saddled with guilt and grief perhaps?
Or is there a perfectly rational, but unknown explanation. Or an other worldly cause, a soul lost between this world and the next, causing trouble? These are the possible conclusions reached by the end of Stef Smith’s adaptation of Shirley Jackson's haunted house thriller.
Renowned anthropologist Dr Montague (Jasper Britton) invites those who claim to have had paranormal experience to spend time in the apparently haunted Hill House, where there have been some strange goings-on. Two accept: Eleanor (Clancy Ryan) who has just lost her mother and Theodora (Sophie Lenglinger), a free-spirited soul escaping a previous relationship. They are joined by Luke (Robin Morrissey), who is set to inherit the property, and set about trying to establish a scientific explanation for these unsettling and mysterious events.
The set is imaginative and uses lighting devices to simulate the outside of the house. The sound effects are often sudden and dramatic, and ramp-up the tension as the characters convene in the home. Clancy Ryan is excellent as she develops Eleanor's character from shy young woman to increasingly deranged and paranoid. Sian Howard as housekeeper Mrs Dudley, is initially quite sinister and unwelcoming, but becomes increasingly the voice of reason amid the ensuing chaos.
The play has plenty of frightening moments, but these tend to come from shock tactics - in particular, loud bangs. It seems a little overused, as some of the bangs seem detached from events on stage, or accompany simple acts like opening a door and become slightly tiresome. The point of the story becomes clear by the end but is confusing at times. Was this a realistic scientific enquiry, or the study of a person undergoing significant mental health problems?
While there is much to enjoy about the thriller, it would benefit from a clearer storyline and a wider range of surprises to increase the horror; maybe characters who are more sinister, creepy or who offer a clearly more dangerous threat to other players. This may, of course, not be possible while staying true to the story.
But if you enjoy those bump-in-the-night shocks and some nice touches of subtle humour, there is plenty to experience - I won't say enjoy, since it's not the point of the exercise - in this production.
More info and tickets here
