It Walks Around the House at Night

A play about an out-of-work actor hired by a mysterious benefactor, who soon discovers the haunting he’s involved in is more than it first appears. If this premise sounds familiar, it’s because Off West End audiences were previously treated to a show with a similar concept — A Ghost in Your Ear. However, the key difference is that while the latter aimed to keep audiences gripping the edge of their seats with white-knuckle tension, It Walks Around the House at Night, by Tim Foley, is a darkly comedic and mostly successful chiller that invites viewers to sit back and enjoy its knowingly familiar proceedings.

The story is delivered through narration from Joe, who takes us through his week-long stay on the grounds of the looming Paragon Hall, where he has been brought in to walk the grounds as the “ghost” that haunts it. George Naylor delivers a performance that is truly witty, sly and layered: his character initially brings bucketloads of charm, but develops further as the ghostly proceedings continue. Not only do we see the ghost walk through his narration and his brilliant assimilation of other characters, but Naylor also realizes his character’s arc brilliantly, without it ever feeling forced. There is also a brilliantly physical performance by Oliver Baines as The Dancer, who takes on multiple roles and provides a perfect counterbalance. Despite having no lines, Baines makes an equally strong impact.