Prepare to have the sh*t scared out of you in Stoke

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Staffordshire is about to get possessed with thousands of horror fans frothing at the mouth to witness the live stage version of the cult 1970s classic horror story The Exorcist brought terrifyingly to life live on stage this October 2019 at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent.

The play by John Pielmeirer is based on the original novel by William Peter Blatty, which itself was inspired by a ‘real’ 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism that Blatty heard about while he was a student.  The novel was famously turned into one of the most iconic horror films ever made, described as everything from an ‘expert telling of a supernatural horror story’ to ‘nothing more than a religious porn film’, and which despite winning an academy award was banned from video release in the UK for over a decade.  Oh the joys of censorship!

The stage play was originally performed way back in 2012 in Los Angeles, directed by John Doyle and which starred Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlin, and although well received by audiences, like the movie, got mixed reviews.  It has rarely performed professionally since.

However Pielmeier’s script was raised from the dead in 2016 by the Birmingham Rep in  co-production with Bill Kenright.  This completeley re=worked version of the play then went on to an extended run in London cast with a cast to die for that included.   Jenny Seagrove, Adam Garcia and Peter Bowles.

Casting has not yet been announced for the touring version coming to Stoke.  However it will feature the trecorded voice of Sir Ian Mckellen as the demon. Special Effects and illusions (ie the stuff that will help scare the sh*t out of you) have been created by magic man Ben Hart.

The production will take posession of the  Stoke-on-Trent Regent Theatre from 1 to 5 Oct 2019. Tickets are on sale now[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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