Leeds Playhouse – until 3 August 2024
Reviewed by Katie Brewerton
5*****
If you go online to book your tickets for Paranormal Activity in Leeds, all you’ll find is ‘World Premiere, Written by Levi Holloway, Directed by Felix Barrett. We can’t say anything else.’ With this in mind, the review will not give away too much about you can expect. However what I will say is if you like a scary story, go see it!
Based on the Paranormal Activity films which became a phenomenon when they first came out, this play is beginning to have a similar reaction. With an age rating of 15+ and the tag line ‘Places aren’t haunted, people are’ this is a must see for horror fans. It is tense from beginning and end, and you will have a feeling of foreboding, never knowing what’s going to happen next you’ll spend the whole 1hr 40 minutes on the edge of your seat. One thing I will say is look out for the small details, I would love to have a second watch so I can pick up on more of what’s going on in the background where there is added clues and distractions.
With phenomenal effects and lighting, the whole audience where discussing how they made things happen both at the interval and at the end. With a direct quote from an audience member behind us saying ‘Absolutely not, **** this!’ it’s safe to say you’ll leave the theatre feeling thoroughly freaked out! I will go so far as to say this is one of the best horror shows I’ve seen on stage, with jump scares, illusions a feeling of ‘what just happened?’ and ‘how did they do that?!’. Before I give too much away I will just say if you have the opportunity to see this you must take it and I will be shocked if it doesn’t continue elsewhere after it’s run at Leeds Playhouse.