The ‘it’ in the show’s title becomes evident, eventually, in a well-written narrative that leaves very few, if any, questions by the end of the evening. If anything, matters are a little overexplained, which, if, like me, you quite like a story that’s easy to understand, isn’t a problem, but if you like a bit of a challenge in terms of piecing a story’s elements together for yourself, you may find yourself a tad disappointed. Either way, the show has much to offer in terms of an engaging storyline as well as some excellent technical aspects, which come together in a production whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Joe (a compelling George Naylor) begins by breaking down the show’s title, which is the reason why there are outdoor scenes as well as indoor ones. The thing called ‘It’ walks around the house, not inside it. Spooky shows on stage rarely work well, but this one does, tapping into the psychological aspects of the story whilst not sparing expense on video design and graphics. At the same time, there isn’t an overreliance on video, and I never felt as though I might as well be at the movies. The production places enough confidence in the script not to embellish it with suspenseful music.
The show also successfully incorporates mobile telephony into the story – Joe is in regular contact with others (too much of a spoiler, alas, to elaborate further on that point) – which puts paid to the idea that ghost stories don’t really work if they’re set in the modern era, because photos on smartphones would very quickly prove either way whether there is something or someone lurking in the darkness. Adding to proceedings is The Dancer (Oliver Baines), whose intermittent presence keeps Joe on his toes.
The narrative strands are brought together in a conclusion that didn’t feel hurried or rushed, and a final decent ‘boo’ moment is reserved for the very last second of the show, sending the audience out on a high of sorts. Naylor is impressive as Joe, rarely leaving the stage and putting in a very physical and engaging performance throughout. Some telling lines in the script about working-class actors being screwed over by an entertainment industry apparently stuffed with posh toffs prove for an intriguing, if underexplored, subplot. References to Bridgerton and AirPods (at least Joe has them, unlike those who insist on playing music without headphones or earbuds in public places) place further emphasis on how contemporary this show is, as opposed to something from the nineteenth century.
An impressive and energetic production that doesn’t rely on suddenly cranking up the volume to make patrons jump – it’s far more slick and sophisticated than that.
Review by Chris Omaweng
When an out-of-work actor takes a job playing a ghost at an old countryside manor, he expects a few cheap scares but soon uncovers something far more frightening.
Joe is barely scraping a living working in a bar. So, when a rich handsome stranger offers him an unusual but well-paid gig, he can’t say no. But the role turns chillingly real, as Joe begins to suspect something else is lurking in the shadows.
It Walks Around The House At Night is a spine-tingling new stage play that sees Joe walks the grounds alone for five long nights – but is something following?
A haunted house story for a new era, brought to life with haunting tricks, chilling twists, and a generous dose of dark humour.
CAST
Joe – George Naylor
The Dancer – Oliver Baines
Featuring the voice of Paul Hilton
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer – Tim Foley
Director – Neil Bettles
Sound – Pete Malkin
Lighting & Video – Joshua Pharo
Set Design – Neil Bettles & Tom Robbins
Design Associate (Costume) – Maidson Omatseone
Associate Director – Anna Berentzen
Sound Associate – Kieran Lucas
Dramaturg – Brendan Macdonald
Casting Director – Claire Bleasdale
IT WALKS AROUND THE HOUSE AT NIGHT
Southwark Playhouse Borough
4 to 28 March 2026
