Review: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY at Ambassadors Theatre

In total black-out (which includes the front of house emergency lighting) a voice encourages us to submit to what is about to happen, and nervous giggles quickly begin to replace the audience’s hushed silence. Places aren’t haunted, it’s people who are haunted, is the statement which ultimately proves most significant as a prelude to the events which follow as we begin to learn of a young married couple’s bid to leave behind their disturbing time in Chicago and relocate to London.

James (Patrick Heusinger) and Lou (Melissa James) love their new home, except for the clanking pipes, continuously tripping electrics, and the overcast British skies. Video calls with James’s Bible-bashing mother Coralanne (Pippa Winslow) rarely end without some intrusive questioning about Lou’s mental health, inquiries about whether they pray, and demands for a timeline for a grandchild, but despite the fresh start, Lou is still sensing a disturbing presence which James is resolutely determined to dismiss with some logical explanation or other, straining their otherwise mutually supportive relationship. When James finally witnesses an undeniable paranormal event for himself (I promise it is definitely worth the wait), the floodgates are opened and the supernatural takes up residence. Etheline Cotgrave (Jackie Morrison) as a celebrated expert on matters ghostly, joins the couple for a seance but things don’t exactly go to plan.

Melissa James and Patrick Heusinger in Paranormal Activity. Photo by Johan Persson

As a 3 year old, the company’s Illusions designer Chris Fisher broke his leg and spent 6 weeks in traction at a hospital. His parents bought him a magic set as a distraction from the tedium and so developed a love for the visual trickery, which now plays such an integral part in this production. Working with set and costume designer Fly Davis along with the lighting, sound and video designers (Anna Watson, Gareth Fry, and Luke Halls, respectively) the creative team have deployed their combined skills and talents to realise some genuinely creepy and unnerving moments which will surprise and please any fans of the horror genre.

The production, specifically written for the stage by Levi Holloway and directed by Felix Barrett, the slick and scary show is sure to gain a very loyal word of mouth following and by the looks of the merchandising ranged around the building, the backers undoubtedly believe they have a long and successful run ahead of the.

Paranormal Activity plays 2 hours, including an interval, with its initial run due to continue until 28th March 2026.