The award-winning ThickSkin return to London following a sold-out tour with this chilling new play from Bruntwood Prize-winner Tim Foley.
When an out-of-work actor accepts a well-paid job playing a ghost at a remote countryside manor, he expects nothing more than a few easy scares for curious visitors. But as night after night unfolds, the role begins to blur with reality and something far more sinister starts to emerge.
Part ghost story, part psychological thriller, It Walks Around The House At Night will draw you into a world of creeping dread, unexpected twists and dark humour. Inventive staging, immersive sound and bold visual effects combine to create this edge-of-your-seat theatrical experience.
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| Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan |
Unsettling, darkly comic and full of surprises, the stage is set… for terror!
We caught up with cast member George Naylor to learn more about the show.
George, what can you tell us about It Walks Around The House At Night and your role of Joe?
It Walks Around The House At Night is about a queer, working class, out of work actor who gets lured into a world he doesn't fully understand when he is seduced by a rich handsome stranger, who offers him a high paid acting gig at his house in the countryside.
It Walks Around The House At Night is about a queer, working class, out of work actor who gets lured into a world he doesn't fully understand when he is seduced by a rich handsome stranger, who offers him a high paid acting gig at his house in the countryside.
What drew you to the role?
I’ve been an actor for more than ten years now. I play lots of fun comical characters but it’s rare for me to be offered a role that’s queer, working class and who comes from the same place I do. I immediately loved and understood him. That, and the joy of working with Tim Foley and the genius at ThickSkin.
How has collaborating with playwright Tim Foley influenced your portrayal of Joe?
Just a joy. I had already done a few of his scripts in the Doctor Who universe so was familiar with his style and jumped at the opportunity to work with him on such huge project. He's talented, generous and a complete sweetheart.
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| Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan |
How does the production bring to life the horror elements?
Having such an incredible creative and stage management team helps. Truly the show wouldn't be half as scary or as all consuming without Josh Pharos lighting and projection, or Pete Malkin and Kieran Lucas bringing the beating heart of it through sound design. At the same time you have Maddie Coward and Emily Foster quite literally pulling all the strings in the darkness to make the impossible seem possible. They all add their expertise to make it a living breathing thing that keeps surprising you.
Having such an incredible creative and stage management team helps. Truly the show wouldn't be half as scary or as all consuming without Josh Pharos lighting and projection, or Pete Malkin and Kieran Lucas bringing the beating heart of it through sound design. At the same time you have Maddie Coward and Emily Foster quite literally pulling all the strings in the darkness to make the impossible seem possible. They all add their expertise to make it a living breathing thing that keeps surprising you.
It must be so much fun to be part of the scaring of the audience, especially when it lands well?
It really is, we’ve had some incredible reactions. The tension we build with the audiences has been something I've really enjoyed playing within.
It really is, we’ve had some incredible reactions. The tension we build with the audiences has been something I've really enjoyed playing within.
What are you most excited for audiences to experience?
Experiencing more than they thought they would. The play is a horror and that’s great and always fun. But the play has more to offer, it’s funny, and address’s the wider world that Joe lives in.
Experiencing more than they thought they would. The play is a horror and that’s great and always fun. But the play has more to offer, it’s funny, and address’s the wider world that Joe lives in.
What was the first piece of theatre that had a big impact on you?
I saw Greg Hicks play King Lear at the RSC. It was so epic and had my beat racing, I’d never seen Shakespeare before performed with such power and vulnerability.
I saw Greg Hicks play King Lear at the RSC. It was so epic and had my beat racing, I’d never seen Shakespeare before performed with such power and vulnerability.
What keeps you inspired?
The creatives around me, watching them continue to explore and encouraging the show to grow is just wonderful. That and music!
The creatives around me, watching them continue to explore and encouraging the show to grow is just wonderful. That and music!
What do you hope the audience walks away with after seeing It Walks Around The House At Night?
A copy of the play so they can relive the horror at home!
A copy of the play so they can relive the horror at home!
It Would Around The House at Night runs at Southwark Playhouse from 4th to 28th March 2026. Tickets are available from It Walks Around The House At Night - Southwark Playhouse Borough
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| Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan |
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