Peter James’ The House on Cold Hill at the Theatre Royal Nottingham Review
28 January to 2 February 2019
Reviewed by Louise Edwards
On a freezing January evening you will certainly feel the chill in your bones at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, if not from the cold, then certainly from the latest production – the multi award winning Peter James’ The House on Cold Hill. An arctic blast rushes through this old-fashioned haunted house story as ghostly goings on clash with 21st century technology with thrilling and heart stopping results.
The theatre is plunged into darkness before the first act as the new buyer of the house on Cold Hill meets a grisly end as an accident befalls him when he runs out of the house after a shocking sight in one of the rooms.
Thirty years later the Harcourt family move in. Dad, Ollie, played by Joe McFadden, and Mum, Caro, played by Rita Simons, with daughter Jade, played by Persephone Swales-Dawson, think they have found their “forever home” in this auction buy, built in the late 18th century unaware of the fate that happened to the previous owners.
The Harcourts have left their city life and Ollie has set up a web design company which he will run from home. He employs a local geek, Chris, played by Charlie Clements, to assist him with the technical work. Chris, it turns out, has a keen interest in the supernatural and is particularly insightful about the goings on at Cold Hill and its history. He introduces the family to Annie, played by Tricia Deighton, as a potential cleaner who has skills as a medium and tells Caro the family must leave the house or face the deadly consequences.
The suspense is palpable, and the feeling of dread builds steadily, as the tale unfolds aided by some excellent lighting by Jason Taylor and sound by Martin Hodgson, that heightens the tense drama and spooky illusion. The plot twists and turns and Caro Harcourt, a solicitor by profession, struggles to find a logical explanation to the ghostly goings on as the supernatural seem to harness the technology to instil fear in to hearts of the occupants. Suspicion falls on Chris as more about his background is revealed by Jade’s observations on social media.
This is a modern-day supernatural thriller that will scare you to the core. With such an award-winning cast they deliver the staggering story with edge of the seat drama that will leave you breathless with suspense.
It’s testament to the power of the play that the first thing I did when I got home was unplug Alexa!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £15 to £35.50 (booking fees may apply).
Peter James’ The House on Cold Hill is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham from 28 January to 2 February 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND
