Sophie Ward, Philip Franks and John Wark star in
The Cold Embrace by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Episode Two of The Unquiet: Stories for Dark Nights
a unique theatrical ‘lights off’ podcast experience
with cutting-edge sound design and music from Max Pappenheim
available now on all major podcast platforms.
A chilling new adaptation of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s timeless Victorian ghost story The Cold Embrace by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, starring Sophie Ward, Philip Franks and John Wark, has been released as the second episode of Original Theatre’s podcast series, The Unquiet: Stories for Dark Nights.
The Cold Embrace is available to stream for free across all major platforms as well as at originaltheatre.com.
Adapted by Max Pappenheim and Philip Franks,and Directed by Max Pappenheim, The Cold Embrace is a ghostly tale of a young lover’s vows coming back to haunt him. Sophie Ward narrates the story of a young artist who can’t escape the clutches of the lover he betrayed.
Launched in December 2025, The Unquiet: Stories for Dark Nights takes great ghost stories from the ages and adapts them for aural theatre, using cutting-edge sound design and original music by award-winning composer Max Pappenheim to create a unique sonic experience. This is theatre for the imagination – with the lights off. For the best experience, listen via headphones, in the dark or with your eyes closed.
Each 30-minute episode of The Unquiet podcastis individually introduced to give some context to the writer and production. Expect thrills, chills and some familiar voices bringing these other worldly tales to life. The critically-aclaimed first episode, The Mass For The Dead, starring Jemma Redgrave, Philip Franks and Susie Blake is also available..