Last night we were invited* to the press night of Paranormal Activity at Woking Theatre in Surrey. It’s a horror play written by Levi Holloway, inspired by the hugely successful film franchise, and arrives at Woking Theatre following its run in the West End.
To be honest, horror isn’t normally my first choice of genre. I’m fairly jumpy at the best of times, so I was intrigued to discover just how scary Paranormal Activity would be on stage. And whether I should have brought a cushion to hide behind!
Read on for our Paranormal Activity theatre review to find out just how scary it really is.
*I received tickets for Paranormal Activity at Woking Theatre, Surrey in return for this review. All opinions are my own.
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Paranormal Activity Theatre Review
Paranormal Activity is showing at Woking Theatre from Tuesday 6th October to Saturday 10th October 2026
The performance starts at 7.30pm and the running time is 2h 20m, including an interval.
The Story
The story centres on newlywed couple James and Lou who move from Chicago to London for James’ job. Both are excited for the fresh start, but it isn’t long before they spot some unusual activity in the house and realise that something isn’t quite right.
As the play progresses, we discover that Lou has suffered from some troubling episodes back home in the US and relies heavily on James for support. But as strange events begin to unfold, questions arise about exactly what is happening and why. We also find that they haven’t completely escaped their past.
I won’t give away any spoilers, as the less you know beforehand, the better!
The Cast
The two main roles of newlyweds James and Lou are played by James Bye, who I remembered as Martin Fowler from Eastenders, and Hannah Sinclair Robinson, who has previously appeared in The Play that goes Wrong, amongst others.
The small cast is completed by Jo Castleton as Etheline Cotgrave, a medium, and Caroline Faber, as Carolanne, James’ mother.
All four give strong performances and contribute to the increasingly tense atmosphere of the show.
How scary is Paranormal Activity on stage?
Note from Producer
A pact between us:
As you enter, hold your nerve.
As you exit, hold your tongue.
Keep our secrets.
And when you get home, keep the light on.
Everything I’d read about the play had left me feeling a little apprehensive beforehand and, as I took my seat, I was already on edge. As it turned out, I had good reason to be, as the tension mounted steadily throughout.
From the outset, the audience is plunged into total darkness, immediately creating an unsettling atmosphere. The clever lighting, eerie sound effects and use of shadows all combine to build suspense, and create some genuinely startling moments. At times, I really was holding my breath and gripping the arms of my chair.
So, how scary is it? Yes, it certainly is scary, but not so much that I couldn’t enjoy it. For me, the fear came more from the suspense and anticipation of what might happen next, as well as some startling jump scares. It was just frightening enough to keep me on the edge of my seat!
You can find out more about Paranormal Activity and book tickets on the Woking Theatre website.
Our review
Paranormal Activity was definitely outside my usual choice of theatre show, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The clever staging and special effects created a real sense of unease and desire to know what would happen next. Plus, there are a few twists in the tale that I wasn’t expecting.
You really don’t need to be a fan of horror to enjoy it. Although there were plenty of jumpy moments, it was the anticipation that made it so gripping.
If you enjoy a modern ghost story or fancy seeing something a little different, Paranormal Activity is certainly worth seeing. Just don’t blame me if you leave the lights on when you get home!
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