Review: HAUNTED SHADOWS, White Bear Theatre

Photo credit: Jacky Summerfield

Haunted Shadows at the White Bear Theatre takes a bold and minimalist approach to the ghost story genre, trading spectacle for quiet tension. It’s adapted from Edith Nesbit’s collection of ghost stories (she didn’t just write for children), and this one-woman show offers moments of genuine unease, which isn’t always an easy thing to do – the central performance and Jonathan Rigby’s understated direction that does it.

There’s something uniquely unsettling about a ghost story that isn’t trying to shock you with jump scares – Haunted Shadows takes its time, lulling you in slowly but surely before hitting you with the full weight of its eerie twists. The piece is beautifully subtle – there’s no gimmicky sound design or overly elaborate set pieces, just a simple, intimate stage and an actress – Claire Louise Amias – who knows how to make your imagination do the rest, and that simplicity is what makes the experience so genuinely unnerving.

At the centre of the production is the impressive Amias, who brings each character to life brilliantly – the entire production rests on her ability to switch between roles with ease, and she doesn’t just perform, she shapeshifts. Every flicker of emotion, every shift in tone, every movement feels like a new character coming to life before your eyes. It’s a dazzling display of versatility, proving just how much storytelling magic one person can create.

The White Bear Theatre’s intimate space works wonders for this show, and the sparse set and dim lighting by Steve Lowe heightens the tension, allowing Amias to really be the focal point of the entire room. It’s the perfect setting for a show that relies on atmosphere rather than spectacle.

Haunted Shadows is a fantastic example of how powerful intimate, slow-burn storytelling can be - it’s not the type of ghost story you’ll remember for jump scares, but it’s the kind that stays with you, quietly and unnervingly, for days after. If you’re in the mood for a chilling, thoughtful night of theatre, Haunted Shadows at the White Bear Theatre is a must-see.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Lisamarie Lamb

Haunted Shadows plays at London’s White Bear Theatre until 8 February, with further info here.