News: Trick Or Treat On The Tyne!

Trick Or Treat On The Tyne! 

Special guests read ghost stories on stage at Newcastle Live Theatre before Saint Maud in the run up to Halloween

In the run up to Halloween, Stephen Tompkinson and other special guests will read previously unheard ghost stories by top level North East writers including Eliza Clark, Benjamin Myers, Matt Wesolowski and David Almond as curtain raisers to Live Theatre’s highly anticipated production of Saint Maud.

Kicking off the series on Saturday 19 October, acclaimed actor Stephen Tompkinson will read visionary playwright David Rudkin’s short story The Keeper about a mysterious presence haunting a lighthouse.

On Tuesday 22 October cult author Eliza Clark (Boy Parts, Penance) will read an exclusive story from her highly anticipated upcoming collection She’s Always Hungry.

On Wednesday 23 October North East award winner Benjamin Myers’ (Cuddy, The Offing, The Gallows Pole) chilling tale Blue Knickers will be read by actress and writer Samantha Neale.

On Thursday 24 October, great North East chronicler David Almond (Skellig) will take to the stage and read his own brand new ghost story Sinclair’s Hell.

On Friday 25 October horror novelist Matt Wesolowski (Hydra, Deity, Beast, Demon) shares a brand new skin crawling tale Pretendy-Mammy.

Eliza Clark, Stephen Tompkinson, David Almont and Sam Neale

Horror phenomenon Saint Maud tells the story of a young devout nurse who becomes increasingly obsessed with saving the soul of a former dancer in the final days of her life.

Artistic Director Jack McNamara said: “There’s a growing buzz around our production of Saint Maud so it’s great to be able to invite this roster of talent to come and celebrate it with us, by spooking our audience silly right before the show. These stories have never been heard before and will probably never be heard again. We hope to address the injustice of only children receiving treats at Halloween, by giving each audience something unique and delicious on different nights.”

Each story is read onstage right before the show at 7.30pm and is free with a Saint Maud ticket for the specific date of each reading.

Tickets

To find our more and book for Saint Maud go to www.live.org.uk or call Box Office on 0191 232 1232.

Saturday 19 October - The Keeper by David Rudkin read by Stephen Tompkinson

Tuesday 22 October - She’s Always Hungry by Eliza Clark read by the author

Wednesday 23 October - Blue Knickers by Benjamin Myers read by Samantha Neale 

Thursday 24 October - Sinclair’s Hell by David Almond read by the author

Friday 25 October - Pretendy-Mammy by Matt Wesolowski read by the author

Thursday 10 October – Saturday 2 November 2024 Saint Maud