The Haunting of Hill House May 9, 2009

The Haunting of Hill House, adapted by F Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson - part of Brighton Festival Fringe

Fifty years after its first publication we present this stage adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s classic horror novel, The Haunting of Hill House. Filmed both in 1963 and 1999 as The Haunting.

Welcome to Hill House. Hill House stands by itself against its hills, holding darkness within. It has stood for 130 years and might stand for 130 more. Within, walls continue upright, bricks meet neatly, floors are firm, and doors are sensibly shut; silence lies steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walks there, walks alone.

It has been 50 years since anyone last stayed at Hill House, when a group of researchers into the supernatural came to study the house. Lead by Dr. Montague, an accomplished anthropologist risking ridicule by investigating the paranormal; Theodora, who was famous for identifying 19 cards out of 20 every time; Eleanor Vance, a lonely soul who was once plagued by poltergeist activity; and Luke Sanderson, the adventurous future heir of Hill House. Later they were joined by Dr. Montague’s wife and her companion Arthur who had their own, rather more aggressive, agenda at the House. Not all of these last visitors were ever due to leave Hill House.

Some say Hill House was born bad, others that it imbibed its evil from the people who lived there, whatever the cause it has remained unoccupied and feared to this very day.

Official Website: http://www.the-little.co.uk/current/index0809.html#thohh