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Ghost Stories: (stage version)
Professor of Parapsychology, Philip Goodman, is an arch-sceptic with a mission to debunk the paranormal, wherever it occurs.
But when he embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings – as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman awaiting his first child – Goodman finds himself at the outer limits of rationality, and fast running out of explanations.
Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman's play Ghost Stories first started terrifying audiences at Liverpool Playhouse and the Lyric Hammersmith, London, in 2010, directed by its authors along with Sean Holmes – and has since become a worldwide cult phenomenon, with two West End transfers, productions in China, Australia, Canada and Europe, and an award-winning film adaptation. It was revived at the Lyric in 2019.
This official tie-in edition features the complete script for the show, and an exclusive introduction by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, about the origins and development of the play.
'Brilliant and deeply unsettling' - Telegraph
'Genuine scary fun' - Sunday Times
'Brilliantly scary' - Daily Express
'I had to sleep with the lights on' - Metro
'An immaculately crafted evening of entertainment' - Time Out
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2019
8 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Dyson
36 books52 followersJeremy Dyson is an English screenwriter and, along with Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, a participant in The League of Gentlemen. He has also created and co-wrote the popular west-end show Ghost Stories.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 20, 2021
3.5, rounded down.
I can see that this would be incredibly effective on stage, but just reading it leaves a lot to be desired. Still, I intend to watch the film version soon, which looks quite interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqm5h...
I can see that this would be incredibly effective on stage, but just reading it leaves a lot to be desired. Still, I intend to watch the film version soon, which looks quite interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqm5h...
January 2, 2020
Having seen the stage production several times, reading the script is familiarly exciting. The play translates perfectly from the page and it’s fun recalling the gestures and delivery that mirror the book exactly.
Even though I knew exactly what to expect, it was still thrilling and unnerving. A wonderful piece of writing and theatre.
Even though I knew exactly what to expect, it was still thrilling and unnerving. A wonderful piece of writing and theatre.
June 26, 2022
A great play (and film), the script and the notes at the start made for really interesting reading.
November 13, 2019
24/9/19
This is actually the first play I have read and I really enjoyed it. As said in the introduction, horror plays aren't very common, so I really appreciate Dyson and Nyman for creating this. I have a lot of questions as to how the stories are played out on stage, I was a bit confused with regards to that so I really hope I get to see this play in real life. My favourite part was the last quarter of the play, where there's a lot of action. Reading it was unsettling so I'm sure I'd be scared out of my wits seeing this on stage.
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This is actually the first play I have read and I really enjoyed it. As said in the introduction, horror plays aren't very common, so I really appreciate Dyson and Nyman for creating this. I have a lot of questions as to how the stories are played out on stage, I was a bit confused with regards to that so I really hope I get to see this play in real life. My favourite part was the last quarter of the play, where there's a lot of action. Reading it was unsettling so I'm sure I'd be scared out of my wits seeing this on stage.
You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website
July 25, 2020
So good. It would be a literal Mount Everest to produce, but if you pull it off, it’s a perfect horror anthology play. Ever since I first heard about, I’ve been wanting to read it. My favorite kind of horror film is the anthology, especially the British ones. Even after seeing the movie the playwrights made, adapting their own theater work, I was still impressed with the original stage script.
Anybody want to put this on? 😉
Anybody want to put this on? 😉
March 9, 2020
So, first we saw the movie, which was good but something just felt lacking. Then we got to see this live and I have no words to describe this play. Luckily, my boyfriend is better at words than me.
"I would describe it as engaging, tightly plotted, with a climax that rewards both your attention and repeated readings."
Picking up the script was 100% worth it to analyse everything afterwards, to mark each clue they leave you and build up to the final realisation.
Remember. Guilt can and will hold you captive.
"I would describe it as engaging, tightly plotted, with a climax that rewards both your attention and repeated readings."
Picking up the script was 100% worth it to analyse everything afterwards, to mark each clue they leave you and build up to the final realisation.
Remember. Guilt can and will hold you captive.
July 3, 2025
I bought the script book at the theatre where I had just watched the stage show. I loved the stage show and equally enjoyed the book. Everything was fresh in my mind so I could re-live the stage production by reading the script. There is also an interesting introduction to the script, giving background to the writers and how the story came about. Just have to watch the film now. If only Dyson & Nyman had written more horror stories together.
March 29, 2024
Very unsettling. I don't like horror, I'm not sure why I picked this up. It was scary and I am really freaked out. Good job.
It lost a star for the final story not quite living up to the first two, and because there's less overlapping and foreshadowing than I think the ending merits. But that could be because elements of the live show are lost in text form.
It lost a star for the final story not quite living up to the first two, and because there's less overlapping and foreshadowing than I think the ending merits. But that could be because elements of the live show are lost in text form.
February 15, 2022
I still have mixed feelings on the twist ending, and think the film is more effective over all (although I guess it’s easier to create tension on screen).
However, it’s a brilliant script and I’d love to have seen the play while it was running.
However, it’s a brilliant script and I’d love to have seen the play while it was running.
November 10, 2020
A clever and enjoyable play. Lots of tech requirements, though. But a good read.
August 31, 2022
My first play! Now, I want to read more!
March 3, 2023
horrifying every time. glad the text mirrors how good the actual production is
May 4, 2021
A chilling series of ghost stories culminating in a structural inversion that intended to surprise and horrify. I’m sure it was more successful on stage, but the horror didn’t pop on the page.
I’m becoming increasingly less impressed with horror (movies, plays, novels, etc.) that relies on disabled or elderly people to be spooky. This play depends on comas and even a series of birth defects to build suspense.
Even one of my favorite films, The Babadook, relies on elderly people and dementia to increase dread, and I’m beginning to understand how that’s a lazy choice.
I’m becoming increasingly less impressed with horror (movies, plays, novels, etc.) that relies on disabled or elderly people to be spooky. This play depends on comas and even a series of birth defects to build suspense.
Even one of my favorite films, The Babadook, relies on elderly people and dementia to increase dread, and I’m beginning to understand how that’s a lazy choice.
January 14, 2021
My husband saw this in London in 2009 and we have been waiting for the script to be published. This was so worth the wait. I am not super into scary things or horror, but I LOVE horror onstage. This show is brilliant. I wish I could see it live and enjoy all of the elements in person.
Just excellent.
Just excellent.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews