HAUNTED SHADOWS
Edith Nesbit revisits the darkness of her own past, telling three of her Gothic tales while recalling various childhood terrors. Better known for her children's books, she was also a prolific writer of ghost and horror stories. The Shadow, The Pavilion and a rediscovered tale, A Strange Experience, are dramatised in this chilling one-woman show.
Performed and adapted by Claire Louise Amias
Directed by Jonathan Rigby
Edith Nesbit was born in Kennington (only five minutes' walk from the White Bear) and spent her first seven years in the area.
Haunted Shadows launched at Grimfest at the Old Red Lion Theatre, and transfers to The White Bear in Kennington from 28 January to 8 February 2025, at 7.30pm.
★★★★ West End Best Friend
★★★★ Reviews Hub
★★★★ Once a Week Theatre
★★★★ London Theatre 1
Tickets can be bought here:
Haunted Shadows | The White Bear Theatre
Press Photography by Diana Vucane
Audience Responses:
"An excellent one-woman play ... Go see it!" Prano Bailey-Bond (writer-director, Censor)
“This was the perfect Halloween experience. Claire Louise Amias gives a spellbinding performance of intimacy and fear that’s ideal for the live telling of ghost stories.” Jon Dear (author, No Digging Here: The Story of the BBC’s Ghost Stories for Christmas)
“A wonderful evening of ghastly tales, expertly performed by the sparkling Claire Louise Amias.” John J Johnston (editor, Unearthed: Classic Tales of the Mummy)
“Loved Haunted Shadows. Claire Louise Amias is a compelling storyteller and a brilliant performer, and her rendering of Edith Nesbit’s creepy tales was astutely directed by Jonathan Rigby.” Virginie Sélavy (editor, Electric Sheep magazine)
“No better way to spend Halloween than watching a collection of E Nesbit ghost stories, brought to life in an electrifying performance by Claire Louise Amias.” Dave Thomas (host, Due Signori in Giallo podcast)
"What a fabulous, atmospheric and chilling piece of work! It put me in mind of The Woman in Black - the unseen and unspoken more terrifying than what we see. Claire Louise Amias' performance is perfect. It properly chilled me to the bone." Rosie Fiore (author, What She Left)
“A fantastic evening, watching Claire Louise Amias in her one-woman show … A remarkable performance as two of the tales of Edith Nesbit are brought startlingly to life. Miss it at your peril!” Nige Burton (editor, Classic Monsters of the Movies)
Production photography by Jacky Summerfield
Reviews:
★★★★ West End Best Friend
‘Haunted Shadows offers moments of genuine unease … The piece is beautifully subtle – just a simple, intimate stage and an actress – Claire Louise Amias – who knows how to make your imagination do the rest … It’s a dazzling display of versatility, proving just how much storytelling magic one person can create … If you’re in the mood for a chilling, thoughtful night of theatre, Haunted Shadows at the White Bear Theatre is a must-see.’ Lisamarie Lamb, West End Best Friend
★★★★ Reviews Hub
‘Frightening voids and absences feature throughout the ingenious web of stories in this spooky one-woman show. Below the Gothic paraphernalia of dim lamplight and creeper-covered buildings lurk sinister psychological undertones … Claire Louise Amias plays [Edith] Nesbit, brilliantly mixing narrative verve with an undertow of dread and crawling malice … Jonathan Rigby’s direction brings out all the sinister whispers in the background of these well-constructed tales.’ Phoebe Taplin, The Reviews Hub
★★★★ Once a Week Theatre
‘Good old-fashioned story-telling is the key to the success of this entertaining one-woman show … Amias’ narration is superb. Director Jonathan Rigby paces both pieces expertly … It’s delicious fun to be settled comfortably and know you are going to be appalled in the next moment. The stories themselves are strong … adding further substance to this small but perfectly formed evening.’ Edward Lukes, onceaweektheatre.com
★★★★ London Theatre 1
With the thrilling Haunted Shadows, the engaging Claire Louise Amias makes a convincing case for Edith Nesbit as the female master of the genre … First up is ‘The Shadow’, a deliciously creepy little piece. This is followed by the bizarre eco-horror of ‘The Pavilion’. The final tale, accounting for most of the second half of the evening, is ‘A Strange Experience’. Amias is at her best in this Gothic tale of the dead-alive. Highly recommended.’ Louis Mazzini, LondonTheatre1
‘This one-woman play, masterfully performed by Clare Louise Amias, … [has] atmosphere aplenty. Steve Lowe’s lighting casts ghoulish, unnatural light at moments of high drama, while Keri Chesser’s sound design magics evil cackles and ominous sighs from the bowels of the stage … The physical, visceral feeling of fear is palpably described.’ Nilgin Yusuf, London Pub Theatres Magazine
‘Great for cold and dark winter nights, Haunted Shadows brings three Victorian and early 20th-century Gothic tales to life … Claire Louise Amias delivers a committed central performance, commanding the space.’ Rob Tomlinson, thespyinthestalls.com
‘An atmospheric retelling of Edith Nesbit’s Gothic tales, brought to life with an eerie set and a strong solo performance … A well-executed piece that will definitely hit the mark for fans of Gothic storytelling.’ shereviewstheatre
‘The perfect one-woman show for spooky season… Amias is a powerhouse performer. She is captivating from the moment she enters the stage, managing to convey terror, grief and foreboding in a way that isn’t overblown or melodramatic but still keeps you on the edge of your seat, frightened of seeing what she sees.’ fringebiscuit.com