Ghosts

Questor's Theatre

Playing until 24th January 2026

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{PR Gifted ticket}

Directed by David Emmet, Ghosts is a gripping and surprisingly fresh spin on Ibsen’s classic. It’s the kind of production that pulls you in slowly, then refuses to let go, thanks to a mix of strong performances, thoughtful staging, and a mood that hangs over the room like a storm cloud.

Right from the opening moments, the atmosphere is spot‑on. The set feels both elegant and claustrophobic, a home that looks respectable on the surface but carries the weight of everything unsaid. The muted colours, the antique furniture, the careful attention to period detail; they all works together to create a space that feels haunted without ever being heavy‑handed.

At the centre of it all is a standout performance from Caroline Bleakley, playing Mrs. Alving. She brings a real emotional honesty to the role — tough when she needs to be, but with a vulnerability simmering just underneath. Her scenes with Oswald (Usmaan Khan) are especially powerful, full of that painful mix of love, fear, and the desperate hope that things might still turn out differently.

Khan, in the role of Oswald, is played with a quiet intensity that really pays off. Instead of leaning into melodrama, Usmaan Khan keeps everything grounded, letting the character’s inner turmoil show in small, telling moments. By the time the play reaches its final stretch, the tension is almost unbearable in the best possible way.

Pastor Manders (Darren Chancey) is another highlight. It’s easy for him to come across as a rigid moral stereotype. Instead, he’s given more depth — someone who genuinely wants to do the right thing but is completely trapped by his own narrow worldview. That added complexity makes the central conflict feel richer and more human.

The direction keeps everything moving with a steady rhythm. Ghosts can sometimes feel slow or overly heavy, but Emmet’s approach gives the story room to breathe without losing momentum. The lighting shifts are subtle but effective, helping to underline emotional beats and the sense that the truth is always just on the edge of breaking through.

What really sticks with you is how current the whole thing feels. Even though the production stays true to its period setting, the themes — secrecy, reputation, the cost of pretending — land with real force. It’s a reminder of why Ibsen’s work still resonates, and this production leans into that without ever feeling preachy.

This version of Ghosts is emotionally engaging, beautifully acted, carefully crafted, and haunting in all the right ways.