It is nearly Halloween which mean you may be looking for something spooky to go and see in the theatre. Well we have a treat for you! After a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, Every Ghost Story Ever is now coming to Barons Court Theatre on 22nd, 23rd, 27th, and 28th at 8:30pm. Today we speak to Billy Morton to find out everything that the show has in store for the audiences….
Hello! Tell us about yourself ?
I’m a writer and performer from Oxford! I specialise in comedy – often improvised – and am excited to have performed my first solo show this year at the Edinburgh Fringe, which is now coming to London this October.
Tell us a bit about the show Every Ghost Story Ever
Every Ghost Story Ever is a solo comedy show all about ghost stories (duh). It’s part storytelling, part stand-up, and part TED talk (DEAD talk?), all in character as the delightfully creepy Billy Bones. The show covers the origins of the ghost story, as well as some highlights from the world of literature, history, and even first hand accounts of supernatural experiences; all with plenty of jokes thrown in. The show is perfect for anyone with an interest in ghosts (be it sceptical or believing), who wants to have a laugh on a cold night in spooky season!
How are rehearsals going?
We’re a bit past rehearsals, having already performed it upwards of 20 times at the Edinburgh Fringe this August, as well as a number of previews around the country, which means the show is definitely in good shape! Audiences seemed to like it up at the Fringe, so I hope they will like it in London.
What can you tell us about the stage set?
The set is quite minimal, as it was a Fringe show – get-ins are about 10 minutes long up there – but we try to get a lot out of what we do have. Centre-stage is a vintage television, which shows some images of real life supernatural phenomena, as well as clips of some iconic horror films (nothing too scary, we promise!) The stage is dressed with a couple of other vintage props to create the sense of an atemporal, liminal space to house the timeless tales of terror, and of course the storyteller himself never leaves the stage, so almost becomes part of the set (but hopefully less wooden, ha ha.)
Tell us a little bit about the rest of the cast
The show is very much a solo show (apart from any spirits that may be with us on the night); but I must shout-out our two techs, one of whom will be there on each night: Beth and Felix. I couldn’t do the show without their technical help and moral support.
What is the most challenging thing about doing the show?
In terms of the creation of the show, the hardest thing was toeing the line between the laughs and the sometimes serious subject matter, as well as both paying homage and lampooning the ghost story genre. I think I was able to stay on the right side of the balance as I really do love ghost stories, so even the jokes come from a place of love.
The most challenging part of performing the show is the stamina: talking for an hour is hard! As well as the larger marathon of performing every night for a month in August: we’re very glad for a shorter run in London, so that won’t be a problem.
The best thing about touring the show?
The best part about doing the show in different places was seeing parts of the country I wasn’t too familiar with. For instance, Buxton is very nice!
What have been some of the best highlights since doing the show?
The highlight of the show for me is always the part where I ask the audience to share any stories of their own supernatural experiences, because I never know what someone’s going to come out with. My favourites from the run so far have been a ghostly pub landlord appearing to a barman in the cellar; something grabbing a child’s hands in bed at night; and one audience member showing me a CCTV video of a cup being thrown across the room at the bar they work at. Properly scary stuff!
what is the best reaction you have had from an audience member?
One night, at very early in the show, an audience member jumped in fright so hard he spilled his beer all over himself. Refunds for beers not provided!
If people want to follow you on social media where can they find you?
They can follow the production company on Instagram @fourpresidentspresents
Finally in three words why should people come to your show?
Spooky Halloween Fun.
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