Entertainment · Books & Arts · 12 hrs ago
The Haunting of Hill House brings inventive scares to the stage
A stage adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel The Haunting of Hill House has been praised for its scares and stagecraft.
The story follows Eleanor, who joins Theodora and Luke at the supposedly haunted Hill House after years caring for her recently deceased mother.
Dr Montague has invited the guests to investigate the mansion’s reported supernatural activity.
Sound effects, lighting and projections create jump scares as objects appear to move by themselves.
The adaptation also explores Eleanor’s growing distress and her conflicting feelings about the house.
However, it cannot show her inner thoughts as fully as the novel, and its changed ending is described as less nuanced.
A stage adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel The Haunting of Hill House delivers jump scares through inventive sound, lighting and set effects.
Director Martin Constantine’s production follows guests invited to investigate the abandoned mansion’s rumoured supernatural affliction.
Clancy Ryan plays Eleanor, whose psychological disintegration is central to the story.
The Guardian review praises the production’s technical effects but says its ending is less nuanced than the novel.
The review describes the show as an enjoyable fright night for audiences new to the story.
- Who
- The production is directed by Martin Constantine and adapted by Stef Smith, with Clancy Ryan playing Eleanor.
- What
- A stage adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel uses jump scares and stage effects to tell a haunted-house story.
- When
- The review was published on 11 October 2026. Performance dates are not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Dr Montague invites guests to investigate Hill House’s rumoured supernatural affliction.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
as nearly perfect a haunted-house tale as I have ever read
Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House was published.
The Guardian published its review of the stage adaptation.
- Source novel
- Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel
- Director
- Martin Constantine
- Adapter
- Stef Smith
- Eleanor
- Clancy Ryan
- Review outlet and date
- Guardian, 11 October 2026
Sources
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