Tim Foley’s new horror play, It Walks Around the House at Night, directed by Neil Bettles for ThickSkin, brings an unsettling energy to Southwark Playhouse. The story follows Joe, a struggling actor hired to impersonate a ghost at Paragon Hall, only to find himself facing real threats as the situation grows sinister and his fee increases dramatically.

Themes of class and privilege are woven through the plot, examining the risks people take to survive, enriching the narrative without distracting from the suspense. However, the presence of multiple supporting characters, even his ex-boyfriend, appears to lessen the sense of isolation and undermine the horror, providing too much support for Joe.

Despite the convoluted plot and occasional distractions, Naylor’s performance is outstanding, bringing Joe to life as a real character. The physical presence of the Dancer (Oliver Baines), whose story echoes Joe’s, adds a unique layer that distinguishes this production from other horror offerings in London.

The technical elements shine: Pete Malkin’s sound design and Joshua Pharo’s lighting combine to deliver effective jump scares, while Bettles and Tom Robbins’ set design allows apparitions to appear and vanish in bursts of light. The stage, facilitates seamless transitions from indoors to outdoors, echoing the play’s central motif: the property’s demons roam the perimeter, not the interior. Pharo’s video projections add atmosphere, though some visuals feel superfluous; sometimes less would be more.

Ultimately, the script’s numerous ideas and eagerness to reveal hidden elements diminish its overall impact, with too many glimpses of a shadowy. Despite this its mix of horror and social commentary makes it a notable addition to London theatre.

Four Stars.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner.

It Walks Around the House at Night runs at Southwark Playhouse until 28 March.

For tickets and more information see link below

It Walks Around The House At Night

Cast

Joe        George Naylor

The Dancer      Oliver Baines

Creatives

Writer Tim Foley

 Director Neil Bettles

 Sound Designer  Pete Malkin

 Lighting and Video Designer                Joshua Pharo

 Set Design Neil Bettles and Tom Robbins

 Design Associate (Costume) Madison Omatseone

 Associate Director  Anna Berentzen

 Sound Associate  Kieran Lucas

 Dramaturg  Brendan Macdonald

 Casting Director  Claire Bleasdale

 Executive Producer                    Laura Mallows

 Senior Producer Steph Connell

 Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan