Review: GHOST STORIES FROM AN OLD COUNTRY, Tajinder Singh Hayer – English Touring Theatre & Papatango

One of three winners of the Papatango New Writing Prize 2021, Ghost Stories from an Old Country is directed by Jessica Lazar and tells the story of Dalvir and Amar.  

Dalvir has always told a good ghost story.  Stories that were dark and unsettling to his younger brother Amar, but now Dalvir has become the ghost and Amar desperately wants to reconnect with the only family he has left.  Will unravelling Dalvir’s stories help him find his way back to his brother?

This audio production is both atmospheric and intriguing.  It conjures up the most perfect, haunting scenes through its natural storytelling and eerie sound effects (sound design by Farokh Soltani).  There is also a good definition of relationships between characters Dalvir (Raj Ghatak) and Amar (Shane Zaza), which makes the dialogue very easy to listen to.

The urban myths are the type that you can easily imagine listening to around a camp fire and make you feel a little uneasy, but unable to walk away.

Hypnotic, poignant and expressive, this piece is perfect for that bit of escapism that will leave you wanting more.

***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin