The West End has been invaded by a chilling new presence, and it's proving to be a terrifyingly good piece of theatre. The stage adaptation of the hit horror film franchise Paranormal Activity has opened at London's Ambassadors Theatre, and it is, against the odds, shockingly effective.
Directed by Felix Barrett, the visionary founder of the immersive theatre company Punchdrunk, this production wisely carves its own path. While it shares the franchise name and core premise, it presents a new, self-contained story that delivers two hours of expertly crafted, mounting dread.
A New Haunt in London
The plot follows an American couple, James (Patrick Heusinger) and Lou (Melissa James), who have relocated from Chicago to a rainy London. They hope the move will escape the supernatural disturbances Lou believes have haunted her since childhood. James is sceptical but supportive, while Lou medicates to appease him. Initially, their new home seems quiet, but that peace is brutally shattered.
Fly Davis's set is a meticulous, two-storey house, creating an intense claustrophobia perfect for the genre. The audience is constantly kept on edge, questioning every shadow and sound. Clever use of grainy surveillance screens offers a nod to the 'found footage' style of the original films, while Barrett's direction moves far beyond simple jump scares.
Atmosphere and Illusion
The production's power lies in its unnerving atmosphere and spectacular theatrical illusions, orchestrated by Chris Fisher. It favours psychological rug-pulls over cheap thrills, making you doubt what you see. The play opens in pitch darkness with Nirvana's 'Lithium' blaring, an experience both elating and suffocating.
Subtle effects, like light from passing cars, create an uncanny sense of movement within the static set. While Levi Holloway's script keeps characterisation lean, it functions as a brilliant puzzle box, with lines of dialogue foreshadowing a finale that satisfyingly clicks into place with more logic than the films often managed.
A Triumph for Stage Horror
This production successfully exorcises the memory of previous failed stage horror, such as *The Enfield Haunting* which played at the same venue. It stands as a slick showcase of what a top creative team can achieve in a theatre, blending high-tech illusion with old-fashioned suspense.
Paranormal Activity is at the Ambassadors Theatre until 28 February 2026. It is a potent reminder that live theatre, in the right hands, can be the most visceral and frightening medium of all.
