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Paranormal Activity- Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 15 – Sat 19 Sep
Written by acclaimed playwright Levi Holloway and directed by Felix Barrett, visionary director behind Punchdrunk Based on the Paranormal Activity films, first written and directed by Oren Peli and brought to the screen by Blumhouse and Solana Films
Melting Pot announces casting for its major UK and Ireland tour of the smash-hit, Paranormal Activity. The spine-chilling theatrical experience will star James Bye (2:22, UK Tour, BBC 1’s EastEnders) as ‘James’, Hannah Sinclair Robinson (The Play That Goes Wrong, West End, The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, National Theatre, UK and Ireland Tour) as ‘Lou’, Jo Castleton (War Horse at the National Theatre, National and International Tour;) as ‘Etheline Cotgrave’ and Caroline Faber (Network and The Heiress, National Theatre) as ‘Carolanne.’
Nyla Bower saw this on Tuesday Night
Gasps, squeals and nervous laughter filled Milton Keynes Theatre during Paranormal Activity, the latest stage adaptation in the long-running horror series. Focusing on a couple tormented by a haunting and possession in their own home, the production delivers an immersive and genuinely unnerving experience that had many audience members jumping in their seats.
The first half is where the production really comes into its own. A cooler than usual auditorium at Milton Keynes Theatre, combined with excellent sound design that had the floor vibrating at times, creates an immersive atmosphere that immediately puts the audience on edge. You can feel the tension building around the theatre as people flinched, gasped and nervously anticipated where the next fright would come from. It's a simple but highly effective approach and, more than once, it left me with goosebumps and a notable amount of squeals from the audience.
One of the strengths of this production is how much the technical elements have evolved over the years. The use of sound and environmental effects creates a far more immersive experience than earlier productions, making the audience feel like active participants in the haunting rather than passive observers. The staging is particularly clever and I'd recommend sitting a few rows back from the Milton Keynes Theatre stage to fully appreciate the scale and detail of the production.
As the story unfolds, the audience is gradually drawn deeper into the mystery and terror surrounding the couple. Rather than relying purely on shock value, the production slowly builds tension, leading to a satisfying conclusion that rewards the investment made in the characters and their plight.
The cast is small, with just four actors on stage, but you would hardly notice. The production feels far bigger than its cast list suggests, creating a convincing and fully realised world. James Bye, best known for playing Martin Fowler in EastEnders, delivers a compelling performance as James. His growing distress and desperation as events spiral out of control provide a perfect counterbalance to the energy and frustration brought by Hannah Sinclair Robinson as Lou. Together, they create a believable portrayal of a relationship under immense strain, with their marital tensions adding another layer of realism to the supernatural story. Robinson, a familiar face on the theatre circuit, is particularly impressive. She navigates Lou's journey from frustration and confusion through to trance-like catatonia and unsettling moments of distorted familiarity with ease, creating some of the production's most chilling scenes.
Rounding out the tight four-person ensemble are Jo Castleton as Etheline Cotgrave and Caroline Faber as Carolanne. Both actors provide exceptional supporting depth, grounding the escalating paranormal disruptions with unsettling urgency and tension that keep the audience constantly off-balance.
As a horror enthusiast, I would definitely recommend catching Paranormal Activity during its run at Milton Keynes Theatre. If suspenseful hauntings, psychological tension and atmospheric storytelling are your thing, then this is a must-see. It's a production that understands exactly what makes audiences nervous and exploits it brilliantly. Just be prepared for a few jump scares along the way.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Opening in Milton Keynes from Tue 12 to Sat 19 Sep, the supernatural smash will visit towns and cities nationwide until May 2027, giving audiences across the country a chance to witness the haunting phenomenon that has taken the West End by storm. Originally developed at Leeds Playhouse, the production returns this Christmas for a spine-chilling festive run. Praised for its inventive storytelling and terrifying atmosphere,
Paranormal Activity is a must-see event for thrill-seekers and theatre lovers alike. Following its original run at Leeds Playhouse and its first West End engagement, which saw the show play at the West End’s Ambassadors Theatre from Friday 5 December 2025 – Saturday 25 April 2026. The show returns to the same venue this summer, where it reopens on Tuesday 11 August and will run simultaneously with the tour, having just extended for the fourth time.
Paranormal Activity began a North American tour last autumn, with dates including the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington DC and American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco. Paranormal Activity marks its Canadian premiere at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto this June, ahead of a run at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theater in July, before embarking on a 20-week Broadway season. A new story inspired by the worldwide horror phenomenon,
Paranormal Activity, is directed by immersive theatre pioneer and Punchdrunk’s Founder and Artistic Director, Felix Barrett and written by playwright Levi Holloway, whose pulse-pounding theatrical thriller Grey House chilled Broadway audiences. James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are...
This thrilling West End hit is inspired by the iconic, hugely popular film series, Paranormal Activity, with a brand-new story live on stage. Now embarking on its first ever UK and Ireland tour after a sell-out, extended run in London, this chilling production promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Hold your nerve... Blurring the line between cinema and live theatre, Paranormal Activity has been hailed as a ‘relentlessly frightening – arm-clutchingly, stranger-embracingly so’ (Metro) theatrical experience leaving audiences jumping out of their seats and questioning what’s lurking in the dark long after the curtain falls.
‘A night that leaves you spellbound. Jaw-clenchingly, arm-clutchingly thrilling’
The Guardian
Paranormal Activity reimagines the modern ghost story with an unsettling intimacy only theatre can provide. Immersing audiences in an atmosphere of creeping dread, unseen forces, and psychological tension, Levi Holloway’s script offers a bold reinterpretation of the original, blending domestic
horror with mind-bending theatricality. Felix Barrett, known for breaking boundaries between audience and performer, brings his signature visionary style to the production. With innovative staging and chilling soundscapes, Paranormal Activity invites audiences to witness the inexplicable
up close—and feel the fear in real time.The creative team also includes Fly Davis as Set and Costume Designer, Illusions by Chris Fisher,
Anna Watson as Lighting Designer, Gareth Fry as Sound Designer, Video Design by Luke Halls and Casting Direction by Ginny Schiller CDG.
‘A chilling evening: a cracking ghost story so skilfully delivered that it might follow you home.’
Financial Times
Released by Paramount Pictures in 2009, the original Paranormal Activity is a master class in psychological terror. Reimagining the found footage genre for a new generation, the film became a global sensation, grossing nearly $200 million worldwide and kicking off a blockbuster franchise
spanning seven feature films. Now, the legacy of fear comes to the intimate world of the theatre as the terrifying phenomenon transitions to the West End stage. Get ready to experience Paranormal Activity in real life.
'Will I be scared? Yes. How scared? Very. Cleverly, too.'
Chicago Tribune
Paranormal Activity is produced by Simon Friend & Hanna Osmolska for Melting Pot in association with Gavin Kalin, Ken Davenport, Jenny King, Patrick Gracey, Jonathan & Rae Corr and Leeds Playhouse.
Age recommendation – 15 +
Performances run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 15 – Sat 19 Sep. Tickets are available now. For further information and to book tickets, visit ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.