Preview: Edith in the Dark at South Shields Customs House

SOUTH SHIELDS WRITER’S CHILLING PLAY COMES TO HIS HOMETOWN

Edith in the Dark

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 7^th November 2018

A ghostly tale penned by South Shields-born playwright Philip Meeks is coming to The Customs House.

As the darker nights approach, Baroque Theatre Company (BTC) is kicking off its autumn/winter theatre season with the first ever national tour of Edith in the Dark, an evening of chilling ghost stories written by Meeks.

Claire Bibby as Edith

The play, which enjoyed sell-out performances when it was first commissioned in 2013 by Harrogate Theatre and went on to appear at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015, comes to The Customs House on Wednesday.

It is based on the little-known ghost stories by poet and writer Edith Nesbit, author of some of the most famous children’s stories ever written, including Five Children and It and the much-loved The Railway Children.

She also wrote adult books, including four ghost stories which form the basis of Edith in the Dark, a haunting evening of ghostly tales directed by award-winning director and BTC artistic director, Adam Morley.

Meeks said: “Edith in the Dark is one of my favourites and Adam Morley has some great ideas for bringing the play back to life.”

Meeks has written for Emmerdale (ITV), Doctors (BBC) and his new play, Harpy, starring Su Pollard, recently premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe. Other works include Murder, Margaret and Me at New York Fringe and more recently at Salisbury Playhouse. 

Jeremy Small as Mr Guasto, 

Grace Dunne as Biddy Thricefolk and 

Claire Bibby as Edith.

Edith in the Dark takes place on Christmas Eve 1900, when during a party hosted by her husband, Edith escapes to her attic writing room, where she meets up with her housekeeper and a mysterious guest.

She reads them a story, not one of her cherished children’s tales but one of her terrifying early ghost stories. As the tales unfold, it becomes clear all is not what it seems – and someone in the attic is hiding a deadly secret.

Morley, whose credits include the world premiere of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, said: “I am very excited to be directing this play on its first ever national tour.

“E Nesbit is best known for children’s favourite The Railway Children, but little is known of her adult ghost stories or her own life. This chilling production will certainly provide audiences with some shock moments and surprising twists. Be ready!”

Edith in the Dark stars producer and founder of BTC, Claire Bibby, as Edith, Grace Dunne as housekeeper Biddy Thricefold and Jeremy Small as Mr Guasto.

Tickets:

Tickets for Edith in the Dark are priced from £12 and available from the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk. The performance starts at 7.30pm and it has a recommended age of 14+.