The Haunting of Hill House at Palace Theatre Manchester

Wed 28 Oct 26

A Spooky Halloween Treat at Manchester’s Palace Theatre

Phil

PHIL ROBERTS
THE MORNING SHOW

I’ll be honest, looking around the Palace Theatre before curtain up, people in the audience looked ready to be spooked. You could just sense the anticipation in the room.

Adapted for the stage by Olivier and BAFTA winner Stef Smith from Shirley Jackson’s seminal 1959 gothic novel, The Haunting of Hill House arrives in Manchester with serious pedigree and high expectations.

As the lights went down, I still wasn’t quite ready for the exact moment that made me jump clean out of my seat. I won’t spoil the surprise here—if you go, you’ll find out soon enough.

Clancy Ryan (Eleanor) (L) and Sophie Lenglinger (Theo) (R) - credit Pamela Raith phil roberts five star review for Cheshire MIX56 — Clancy Ryan (Eleanor) & Sophie Lenglinger (Theo) *Image Credit Pamela Raith*

High-Tech Stage Magic and Genuine Scares

Pulling off supernatural horror on a live stage is notoriously difficult. Unlike film, there are no digital cuts or post-production tricks to hide behind. Yet director Martin Constantine and the creative team deliver a masterclass in atmospheric tension.

The cast have to battle high-tech stage effects, extremely impressive visual projections, and sudden claps of thunder and lightning. Even a simple moving curtain managed to seem utterly menacing. Props, furniture, and doors shift around the stage seemingly by themselves. Before long, I was completely mesmerised and felt right in that haunted house with them.

Would I have accepted an invitation from Dr Montague to stay at Hill House in real life? Absolutely not! Though part of me secretly wanted to be up on stage investigating alongside them.

Jasper Britton Jemma Churchill Manchester Palace Review MIX56 — Jasper Britton (Dr. Montague) & Jemma Churchill (Mrs Montague) *Image Credit: Pamela Raith*

Part Scooby-Doo, Part Classic Hammer Horror

The vibe strikes a brilliant balance: part Scooby-Doo mystery and part late-night Friday Hammer Horror. It is played with real commitment and seriousness, but with just enough tongue-in-cheek fun to make it a cracking, accessible night out.

To be fair to the ensemble cast, the group dynamics click instantly:

The Skeptics & Investigators: The clashing personalities between the doubters, the flirters, and the truth-seeking lost souls keep the tension simmering nicely.

Mrs Dudley (Sian Howard): Sian Howard has completely mastered the eerie housekeeper stare—strangely scary, yet you still genuinely want to sit down and eat the supper she has prepared.

Eleanor Vance (Clancy Ryan): Clancy Ryan easily had the toughest gig of the night carrying the emotional weight of the play. Central to the entire plot, she never once felt unbelievable, even while portraying someone unravelling under supernatural influence. You are constantly suspicious of her, yet rooting for her safety at the same time.

Sophie Lenglinger (Theo) and Robin Morrissey (Luke) - credit Pamela Raith MIX56 cheshire review by phil roberts — Sophie Lenglinger (Theo) and Robin Morrissey (Luke) *Image Credit: Pamela Raith*

The Verdict

Is this a highbrow classical masterpiece? Of course not. It’s a flipping scary, good-fun piece of theatre. It delivers the buzz of a live stage show, the nostalgia of a spooky story, and the entertainment value of a late-night popcorn flick all rolled into one. Crucially, the special effects add to the storytelling rather than distract from it.

Will I have nightmares tonight? Probably not. But did I gasp, jump out of my seat, and have a brilliant time? Yes – and that’s worth paying good money for. (I just hope my loud gasp didn’t put off the chap next to me, who let out a nervous giggle right after!)

A full 5 stars for pure entertainment, genuine spookiness, and a cast that made me feel like I was right there in the house.