Ghost Stories feel like such a traditional form of theatre; after all, storytelling can be linked all the way back to those early days when people would tell each other stories by candlelight as a way to pass the time. So, what better way to pass the time in these colder months than heading to the theatre where you can watch four spine-tingling tales from award-winning writers, live on stage.
Pentabus Theatre and HighTide have joined forces for the first time and bring audiences Even More Ghost Stories by Candelight (EMGSBC) – a brand new edition of the sell-out sensation, Ghost Stories by Candlelight. The show features four spine-tingling tales from award-winning writers. This haunting co-production invites audiences into the secretive, spectral corners of the East and West of England.
Even More Ghost Stories by Candlelight has already kicked off its UK tour, which commenced on the 6th October, but fret not – the show runs until the 8th November. The remaining venues are Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Midlands Art Centre, Shakespeare North Playhouse, and then the show will conclude its run at Battersea Arts Centre.
You can find out more about the show, where it is running and most importantly, book tickets here: https://pentabus.co.uk/even-more-ghost-stories-candlelight-0
I got the exciting chance to interview many of the creative forces bringing Even More Ghost Stories by Candlelight to life. Today, I will be sharing the interview with the director of the show, Elle While, and throughout the week, I will be sharing my interviews with the writers and performers of these stories, so be sure to stay tuned for when they all go live.
Note: the answers I have been sent back for this interview have not been edited in any way, shape or form.
Interview with Director of Even More Ghost Stories by Candlelight, Elle While
Elle is a BAFTA winning director, the Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre and an Associate Artist of Shakespeare’s Globe. Directing includes Driftwood, Make Good, One Of Them Ones & Idyll (Pentabus); Pinocchio (The Watermill); As You Like It – BAFTA winner and International Kidscreen Nomination & Twelfth Night (cbeebies); Private Peaceful (Nottingham Playhouse & UK Tour); The Silence and The Noise – Off West End Award winner & Destiny (Pentabus/ Rural Media); Richard III, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It & Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Globe); Blue Stockings (Storyhouse); Glory Dazed – Winner of Holden St. Theatre Award and Critics Choice Award (Soho Theatre, Adelaide Festival and Underbelly, Edinburgh); Country Music (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Frisky and Manish: Just Too Much (Udderbelly, London and Edinburgh); and recording director for The Old Vic’s production of Cause Celebre on Radio 4.
Hi, thanks for taking the time for this interview! Let’s start easy – can you please tell us a bit about who you are?
I’m Elle While and I’m the Artistic Director of Pentabus. I grew up in Herefordshire so am passionate about getting excellent theatre experiences to people living in rural communities. Also, I love to work with writers who platform rural voices and stories that are so infrequently heard.
What drew you to wanting to direct this show?
As I mentioned, I am really driven by a desire to make space for lesser heard rural voices. I was so excited by the opportunity to work with not one, but four brilliant playwrights who all write with such wit, warmth and rigour about the places they are from. I was also really drawn to the Ghost Story challenge of the project. I have never before directed something where I am actively thinking of ways to scare the audience, so that felt like a really fun and new challenge.
Did you have any ideas in mind before you hit the rehearsal period, or did you just get everyone in the room and then start thinking of how you wanted this show to be staged?
I had lots of ideas because we had already been through a very thorough writers room process, so I felt like I knew the characters in the plays really well and wanted to make sure I honoured these people. I had also worked carefully with Lu Herbert, our designer, to create a space that all the stories could sit in, so I kind of had pictures in my head. But in terms of how these people would come to life in the hands of Sarita and Keaton, I didn’t know and I always approach rehearsals with such a thrill of excitement to see how that joining of spirits is going to work out.
Did you encounter any difficulties when directing this show, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Ha! It’s easy to forget the difficult bits of rehearsals, a bit like childbirth! Honestly though, the rehearsal process was such a joy and I was so bowled over by the tenacity and care that the actors approached the texts with. It was a short process so there was no time for doubt, which I think was clarifying and motivating.
When directing Ghost Stories, did you have any input from the writers, or did you get given free rein with your creativity?
There was a really live dialogue with the writers which didn’t feel restricting in any way. I feel like the creative team had free reign to play and interpret the pieces but that we were lucky enough to have really engaged writers who fed into the process throughout. Sometimes by actually being in the room, but also through a process of very detailed rehearsal notes (that are sent at the end of every day of rehearsals) that the writers get sent and can feed back on.
Last question…what do you want people to take away from the show?
I hope our audiences are thrilled, make emotional connections to the characters they meet, enjoy recognising things in themselves in the characters, have a laugh, and of course are a little bit scared….
And there we have it! A peek behind the curtain on how these stories have gone from the page to the stage. This interview was so interesting to read, and I loved learning about the creative collaboration between all the teams that make the show happen. It is clear from this interview that there is so much thought that goes into every aspect, and nothing is ever just half done. I think, given the amount of thought and attention to detail behind the direction of Even More Ghost Stories by Candlelight, this is going to be a show that is not just spooky, but so much more.
To find out more about this show and book tickets, click here: https://pentabus.co.uk/even-more-ghost-stories-candlelight-0
One Show at a Time 