From the best-selling 1959 novel by American horror writer Shirley Jackson to the hit 2018 Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House now comes to the stage in a gripping production full of mystery, technical trickery, and spooky suspense.
First adapted for the stage in 1964, Shirley Jackson’s chilling tale returns in a new production that brings Hill House to life (pardon the pun!). With an unsettling atmosphere and a steady undercurrent of tension, this latest adaptation keeps the audience guessing and on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Having never read the original novel, I was intrigued to see how this production would set itself apart from the many haunted house stories we know and love, and whether it could bring something fresh to a genre so familiar to audiences.
“A ghost can be a lot of things. A memory, a daydream, a secret, grief, anger, guilt.”
When a group of supernatural investigators (think TV show Ghost Hunters, but in the 50s!) set out to uncover the secrets of Hill House, their excitement and curiosity soon turn to fear as the house, or its previous inhabitants, start to communicate with its guests through a series of crashes, bangs, eerie wails and mysterious melodies (I will never again listen to Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree in quite the same way!)
The star of the show is undoubtedly the technical design. From projection mapping to lighting, sound design and illusions, every element creates the impression of a house that is constantly moving, with shifting walls and characters transitioning between rooms, floors, corridors, and staircases. A curtain becomes a narrow corridor; a doorway is concealed or transformed. It’s extremely impressive!
Alongside the lighting and video projections, the atmospheric soundscapes create a constant sense of unease. Even in the opening moments, we witness an abrupt blackout accompanied by an explosive sound, immediately unsettling the audience (cue plenty of nervous laughter!) Bulbs blow, blankets float in mid-air, menacing scrawls appear on walls, and a rocking horse rocks without a rider. There’s even the disquieting suggestion that the set changes themselves are the work of spirits!
“Things look and behave differently in the dark.”
The casting is superb, with every performer settling into their character from the very beginning. Praise must go to Clancy Ryan, who delivers a compelling portrayal of Eleanor’s gradual psychological unravelling. She captures the character’s newfound sense of freedom, deep-rooted insecurities, and desperate yearning for an identity with real sensitivity. Ryan is especially effective in conveying Eleanor’s conflicting feelings towards Hill House: her belief that it is haunted by her mother, alongside her growing conviction that it could finally be the home she has always longed for.
I’ve since discovered that the ending has been tweaked for this stage adaptation. Having yet to read the original novel, I cannot comment on the impact of these changes, but coming to the story fresh, I found this a thoroughly entertaining evening of spine-chilling theatre. Thoughtfully staged and impressively executed, the production deserves praise for its strong cast and technical wizardry. A gripping night at the theatre that proves there’s still plenty of life left in the haunted house genre!
Tour Information
The Haunting of Hill House continues its run at Theatre Royal Brighton from 20–24 October before heading to Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Cambridge.
To find out more and book tickets, visit:
The Haunting of Hill House | UK Tour 2026 | Official Site
https://thehauntingofhillhouse.co.uk/
Cast
Jasper Britton: Dr. Montague
Jemma Churchill: Mrs Montague
Sian Howard: Mrs Dudley
Sophie Lenglinger: Theo (Theodora)
Robin Morrissey: Luke
Clancy Ryan: Eleanor
Darryl Oakley: Understudy
Eleanor Hague: Understudy
Creative Team
Original novel: Shirley Jackson
Stage adaptation: Stef Smith
Director: Martin Constantine
Designer: Ti Green
Lighting Designer: Chris Davey
Sound Designer: Johnny Edwards
Composer: Harry Blake
Video Designer: Duncan McLean
Illusion Designer: Will Houstoun
Movement Director: Georgina Lamb
Associate Director: Bobbie-Jean Henning
General Management: James Quaife, Luminous Entertainment Group
Producers and Presenters
Presented by: Mark Puddle, Alexander “Sandy” Marshall, and Patrick Myles
In association with: Wiltshire Creative and Theatr Clwyd