Transforming the Georgian Grade II listed venue Stanley Arts into the medieval mansion backdrop of Goresthore Grange, audiences are invited to promenade from room to room with supernatural enthusiasts Silas and Matilda D’Odds on a hunt for their ghost. Based on the short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, who once lived and worked locally to the venue in Norwood, Selecting a Ghost is an eerily witty tale of a newly-wealthy couple who have bought all the trappings of nobility for their new mansion and are only missing one thing: a ghost.
After exploring their home and realising that there’s no spectre to be found, it sparks a strange and spooky obsession that takes the audience on an unnerving journey as the couple put their trust in a stranger who promises to conjure them a spirit. In an epic finale, spectators will gather in the venue’s great hall and take part in a ‘Ghost Selection Ceremony’, which features award-winning local Hip Hop company BirdGang Ltd (OneDance UK innovation in dance Award), combining classical theatre with contemporary dance and audience interaction. Will the D’Odds finally encounter their ghost or simply be left haunted by the ordeal?
What can you tell me about Selecting a Ghost?
Selecting a Ghost is a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, which I have adapted into a site-specific performance for the Stanley Arts Day of the Dead Festival. The show is a collaboration with Hip-hop dance group BirdGang Ltd, and it brings a witty and thought-provoking twist to the original story, which explores a couple’s obsession with the supernatural. By combining classic literature with hip-hop dance, we’ve created a unique retelling of this story.
What inspired you to take on this story?
I wanted to create a piece of theatre that celebrated both The Stanley Arts and the local area of Norwood. Arthur Conan Doyle lived in Norwood between 1891 and 1894 and has historic links to Stanley Arts, so it felt fitting to adapt one of his stories for the festival. While most people know Conan Doyle for Sherlock Holmes, his short stories are not as widely recognized. I wanted to breathe new life into one of these lesser-known works and give the audience a chance to experience a different side of his writing. Selecting a Ghostwas the perfect choice for its wit and subtle humour, which I felt would resonate well with a modern audience.
How have you approached bringing your vision to adapting the piece?
The original story is told in first-person, with Silas D’Odds recounting past events. To make the story more immediate and engaging, I shifted much of the narration into dialogue between Silas and his wife, Matilda. In the original, Matilda plays a significant role but lacks a voice of her own, so I gave her more agency by attributing parts of Silas’ narration to her. This allowed the audience to connect with her perspective and made the dynamic between the couple more balanced and alive.
What inspired you to take on this story?
I wanted to create a piece of theatre that celebrated both The Stanley Arts and the local area of Norwood. Arthur Conan Doyle lived in Norwood between 1891 and 1894 and has historic links to Stanley Arts, so it felt fitting to adapt one of his stories for the festival. While most people know Conan Doyle for Sherlock Holmes, his short stories are not as widely recognized. I wanted to breathe new life into one of these lesser-known works and give the audience a chance to experience a different side of his writing. Selecting a Ghostwas the perfect choice for its wit and subtle humour, which I felt would resonate well with a modern audience.
How have you approached bringing your vision to adapting the piece?
The original story is told in first-person, with Silas D’Odds recounting past events. To make the story more immediate and engaging, I shifted much of the narration into dialogue between Silas and his wife, Matilda. In the original, Matilda plays a significant role but lacks a voice of her own, so I gave her more agency by attributing parts of Silas’ narration to her. This allowed the audience to connect with her perspective and made the dynamic between the couple more balanced and alive.
One of the biggest challenges was how to portray the six ghosts that appear in the story. This led to our collaboration with BirdGang Ltd., whose work has a slightly otherworldly quality. Their style of hip-hop movement felt like the perfect medium to bring the ghosts to life in a way that’s both modern and surreal, adding a fresh, unexpected dimension to the adaptation.
Why do you think this story suits a site-specific immersive production?
This story is perfectly suited for a site-specific immersive production because it centres on Silas and Matilda moving into a medieval mansion, Goresthorpe Grange. In this production, Stanley Arts becomes Goresthorpe Grange, and the audience is welcomed into the characters’ new home, making the entire venue an integral part of the experience. Each room, corridor, and space becomes part of the world of the story, making the audience feel like they are truly part of the narrative.
I believe this production could work in any building, which is why I’m interested in further developing it as a site-responsive show. It has the flexibility to adapt to different venues—whether it’s a theatre, art centre, heritage site, or even a private dwelling. Any building could be transformed into Goresthorpe Grange, allowing the story to come to life in unique ways that highlight the character and history of each space.
How has the collaboration with Kendra Horsburgh been?
Collaborating with Kendra has been terrific. From the moment I approached her about the project, she’s been so responsive and brimming with creative ideas. Her playful approach makes the process hugely enjoyable, and she brings a fresh, dynamic energy to the work. I’m genuinely excited to see how her unique vision and talents will elevate the performance. I have no doubt that our collaboration will bring something truly special to the production.
Where did the journey with Two Lines Productions begin?
The journey with Two Lines Productions began in 2021 during lockdown. My partner Lisa and I wanted to create a piece of theatre at a time when theatres were closed. Our first production, Waiting for Lefty, felt particularly resonant with the social and economic challenges of the time. We secured Arts Council funding to produce an online, live-streamed show, which was performed on Zoom. The cast of eight actors performed from their own homes, so the production was staged across eight different locations, with the entire performance being live-edited in real-time.
The play, written in 1935, tells the story of taxi drivers fighting for a living wage, and its themes connected strongly with contemporary issues. We wanted the piece to spark debate, so after each performance, we held panel discussions with MPs, trade union leaders, and social and political thinkers. It turned into a remarkable fusion of theatre and activism, creating both a powerful performance and meaningful dialogue.
What keeps you inspired?
Good stories. Stories are vital in understanding this increasingly mad world we’re living in, and they can offer refuge and hope. Since having two young daughters, this has become even clearer. I want to keep telling stories for them.
What do you want an audience to feel when watching the show?
I want the audience to feel included and invested in Silas and Matilda’s obsessive search for a ghost. Their desire to populate Goresthorpe Grange with a spirit is both endearing and infectious, and I hope the audience gets swept up in their passion for the supernatural. At the same time, there’s a twist at the end of the story that I want to be both unsettling and thought-provoking. I want the audience to leave reflecting on the fine line between reality and belief.
Where can audiences see the show?
Selecting a Ghost will be performed as part of the Stanley Arts Day of the Dead Festival from November 6th to 9th, 2024. Tickets are available through the Stanley Arts website. It’s an exciting opportunity to experience this immersive production in a unique, atmospheric setting!
https://stanleyarts.org/event/selecting-a-ghost/2024-11-06/2/
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