Theatre: The Most Frightening Arena?

The recent revival of the smash hit play Ghost Stories has been terrorising West End audiences since February. After making its debut at the Liverpool Playhouse in 2010 before transferring to the West End, its back and has been such a sell out that its run has been extended to August.

I’ll have to admit, I have not seen the play, though I would kill for a ticket. As a massive fan of its writers Jeremy Dyson (League of Gentlemen) and Andy Nyman, I can imagine it is something unique and special. Sadly, I have no choice but to watch trailers on YouTube and listen to the spooky music that plays on the official website. 

The build up to the play has intrigued theatregoers, with warnings outside the theatre informing how it ‘contains moments of extreme shock and tension’ and that anyone under the age of 15 should not attend. Even nurses are supposedly on standby in case anyone faints! Audiences have reportedly left the show feeling genuinely traumatised and some have even left in the middle of a performance! This kind of hysteria is usually built during the release of a horror movie.

Again, having not seen the show I cannot comment on its true effect; however if it does work, it shows that even the magic of theatre can achieve the main aim of the horror genre which is to scare and shock. For many years we have read the dark passages of writers such as Bram Stoker, MR James and Stephen King. We hide behind our popcorn when the stereotypically dumb girl enters a room where the killer clearly hides and is slain; the same effect is seen on TV with us scurrying behind the sofa watching X Files, The Walking Dead and even Doctor Who. Sadly, we’ve become hardened by horror stories, mainly as a result of seeing genuine horrors everyday on the news. Therefore, have we lost our ability to be scared?

Well, the effect Ghost Stories has suggests not. Perhaps the theatre might be the next medium where horror can 'bring back the fright.’ And I am not just suggesting by adapting novels such as Dracula, Frankenstein or any Stephen King; but by creating innovative and original stories. What Ghost Stories has shown is that with good writing, direction and acting, it is possible to scare a theatre going audience without the gimmicks of CGI or bouts of gore. And you do not even need a massive budget.

What I can tell from the trailers is that most of the scares come from the build-up of tension, with sounds of loud bangs and strobes of light in the darkened auditorium. This effect is used in some of the best horror films like The Exorcist.

You never know, in the next few years we may see a surge of plays that level with the greatest horror stories seen on screen and in novels. That after many years of the cinema becoming a more unnerving place to attend, the same can be done for theatre, only the action takes place right in front of the audiences eyes. I personally couldn’t imagine anything more terrifying!

On Methods

‘The scariest moment is always just before you start.’

                                                      - Stephen King, On Writing

This is one of many quotes from the masterpiece On Writing by Stephen King. It is a quote that can be related to by anybody writing a novel, a script or even an essay. In fact, you can relate it to whatever task you are performing in life.

Whenever we have a task set for us, or even one we set for ourselves, the genuinely scary moment is the prospect of starting. There’s always ‘after tea,’ or ‘after I play this song.’ Furthermore, we can only really start if we are in an environment that helps us. Some of us can only work if we are in the midst of load music and noise, while others need total silence. Location is also key. I can write pretty much anywhere, but some can only work at home, outside, at school etc.

Some of us can launch into a task without any preparation. For me I always need to plan, plan and plan. Whether I’m writing an essay or a script, I’ll plan it out so I know where it will go and how it will end. My planning is so detailed I may even have practically written the whole thing, but I never launch straight in. I need to know where I am going in terms of structure and content. If I don't, then it turns into the vomit equivalent of words and is a mess.

When a deadline is set, it does not really matter when it is done as long as it is by the time it is due.

I always start a piece of work when I get it, I never leave it to the last minute. One of my least favourite words is procrastination. Then again for some people, they need that last minute adrenalin in order to produce a work of art, which is fine. There is no right method. Though for people who do leave work to the last minute and still create something wonderful then good for you (Hell has a special place reserved for you.)

So for me when I write something I need to plan, write in any location as long as it is creative and never leave anything to the last minute. Plain and simple. Nevertheless, whatever your method is in life, just go for it. Whether you are writing a script, an essay or even preparing for an interview, as long as you know how well you work and what you do will get you where you want to be in life, you will be fine.

National Theatre Live: Bringing Theatre To The Masses

Last week, the National Theatre streamed a live broadcast of their smash hit play War Horse. The performance was shown all round the world and watched by millions of people, one of whom was me. It was an opportunity for people in countries which may not even hold performances of this ground-breaking play to see such a spectacle. With the National Theatre Live having broadcast performances of various productions such as Frankenstein, One Man, Two Guvnors and The Audience, millions around the world have experienced world class entertainment they would otherwise not be able to see.

In a time of economic uncertainty, all institutions have been affected and the arts is no exception, particularly the West End. The average ticket for a West End play these days is £40+ which is an enormous expense considering traveling to and staying in London costs the world. Therefore, going to see a West End show would be an extra cost which in this age some people simply cannot afford.

As a result, the National Theatre, a company renowned for keeping with the times, have now finally done what many have tried and failed to do for years, and that is bringing theatre to the masses. Although a format I love, I can understand why people find the theatre inaccessible. Indeed many ‘luvvie critics’ who claim theatre is ‘a meaningful art form,’ easily put people off.  They feel they are going to some kind of lecture or institution, instead of going to the theatre to see high class entertainment and enter a world of storytelling. Also, by keeping stunning productions in the West End, people feel distanced from them and by being able to go to your local cinema and witnessing a spectacle, you can now see productions you could never possibly see.

Let’s look at the statistics. The average ticket for a West End show is £40+. The average to see a play through the National Theatre Live is £12. Danny Boyle’s spectacular production of Frankenstein in 2011 starred Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller who regularly alternated the roles of the Doctor and the Monster. As a result, both versions were broadcast which means all the ‘Cumberbitches’ of the world can see their idol play the Monster and the Doctor in two separate performances and only spend £24! That’s not even half the price to see one in the West End! Just to state I'm not in anyway criticising Benedict Cumberbatch, he's an amazing actor. He's Sherlock for god's sake!

Last June I saw Helen Mirren reprise her role as the Queen in Peter Morgan’s The Audience. Firstly, I’m unlikely to ever see a production with Helen Mirren, so that was a treat in itself. But secondly, to see such a one-off event as that magnificent play only happened as a result of these wonderful broadcasts.

What it also does, is expose talented playwrights to the world scene, and let their imagination be appreciated by millions. Unsurprisingly, snobby critics look down on these broadcasts. It would not surprise me if they felt it made theatre ‘mainstream.’ But I don’t care. I now have the opportunity to see plays that inspire me to become a better writer.

And of course, I do hope to one day have one of my plays broadcast in cinemas around the world. 

Thank you National Theatre Live. We salute you!