HighTide’s More… Ghost Stories by Candlelight at Layer Marney Tower was a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, a haunting yet deeply moving theatrical experience.
Directed by Emily Ling Williams, this was 'an incredible two-woman show', featuring extraordinary performances by Becky Barry and Sharan Phull, who brought contemporary ghost stories to life with skill, intensity, and emotion.
From the moment the performance began, the audience was drawn into a chilling world that perfectly blended the eerie setting of the ancient Layer Marney Tower with modern themes of guilt, closure, pain, and suffering.
The room's atmosphere was palpable, as the intimate venue became the perfect backdrop for stories that felt both timeless and strikingly current.
Barry and Phull's chemistry on stage was nothing short of phenomenal.
Their ability to create vivid imagery through dialogue, facial expressions, and the simplest of props left the audience in awe.
They masterfully used sound, acoustics, and music, relying on just two instruments to elevate the tension and enhance the mood.
The creative use of these elements was subtle yet powerful, immersing the audience in the psychological and emotional depth of each tale.
The writing was as brilliant on page, and equally well conveyed through the performers.
What set this production apart was its deeply personal and emotional resonance.
The loneliness, grief, and suffering of the characters felt real, not just as elements of a ghost story, but as human experiences anyone could relate to.
The horror didn’t stem from the supernatural alone, but from the real-life plausibility of the stories. This gave the show a modern relevance, making the experience more unsettling and thought-provoking.
More… Ghost Stories by Candlelight wasn’t just a collection of spooky tales—it was a deeply moving theatrical journey.
Breath in which the incredible Becky Barry takes on the role of storyteller, gave me absolute goosebumps from the very start, but She with Sharon Phull has to be my personal favourite most haunting thing I have ever seen.
The combination of stellar performances, creative direction, and an evocative setting made it one of the most unforgettable and personal theatre experiences I’ve ever had.
Truly, it’s a must-see for fans of ghost stories and quality theatre alike.
