14 Oct 2013

Greater Manchester Horror Fringe: Count Magnus

Howard Whittock as MR James in Count Magnus.
Photo: Shay Rowan
A chilling tale by the master of ghost stories, MR James, is to be brought vividly to life by Scytheplays as part of the Greater Manchester Horror Fringe.

Provost of King's College, Cambridge at the turn of the twentieth century, James took great pleasure in regaling students with his terrifying ghost stories every Christmas Eve, but now he has been persuaded to exercise his talents for Halloween.  He would now like you to join him at Manchester's Town Hall Tavern to enjoy the sinister story of the poor English academic who, in researching the reign of terror presided over by a particularly vile Swedish count, discovered rather more than he bargained for.

The classic story is performed by Howard Whittock (Harvey, The Year of the Sex Olympics) and directed by Daniel Thackeray with dramaturgy by acclaimed director Rebecca Fearly.  A trailer for the production is available to view via YouTube.

A free preview performance will take place on Wednesday 23rd October at 9pm (shortly after the debut performance of The Hag at the same venue).  Tickets for subsequent performances are £3 on the door or can be booked at the links below (subject to booking fees):

Count Magnus - Friday 25th October, 6.30pm
Count Magnus - Friday 25th October, 6.30pm7.30pm
Count Magnus - Saturday 26th October, 7.45pm
Count Magnus - Saturday 26th October, 8.45pm
Count Magnus - Thursday 31st October, 8pm

Discount tickets for Count Magnus in a double bill with The Hag, with which performances alternate, can be booked at the following links.  Please note double-bill tickets are transferable between different performances if there is more than one performance in a day, but valid only on the date shown.

The Hag and Count Magnus Double-bill - Wednesday 23rd October, 7.30pm
The Hag and Count Magnus Double-bill - Friday 25th October, 9pm
The Hag and Count Magnus Double-bill - Saturday 26th October, 9.30pm
The Hag and Count Magnus Double-bill - Thursday 31st October, 6.30pm