BWW Interviews: Talking GHOST STORIES with Darrin Baker

Ghost Stories is a new kind of theatre experience for Toronto, a show that promises to entertain and scare while also providing a genuine night out at the theatre. Nominated for a Best Entertainment Olivier Award in the UK, the 80 minute production has broken box office records on its opening at Liverpool Playhouse and the Lyric Hammersmith. Now playing on the West End, the show made its North American Premiere in Toronto this month with its gala opening night on April 12th.

Ghost Stories was conceived by the dark minds of The League of Gentlemen's Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman (co-creator and director of Derren Brown's television and stage shows and star of Dead Set and Severance). BWW is speaking to each of the actors involved in creating the terrifying stories that play out each night at The Panasonic. Today we are talking to Darrin Baker:

Creators Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson came over from the UK for the opening - was it at all nerve-wracking performing with them in the audience?

I consider it a great luxury to have had them here.  They came in a few days prior to opening and gave us amazing feedback and some really good notes.  In fact, we even had a day to rehearse some of the notes - so there was less pressure having spent some time together than them just being in the audience for Opening.  I would be lying if I didn't say that I was a bit nervous, but I was nervous in a good way.  I find stuff like that keeps you on your toes.  You always want to make your writers happy, after all, it's their words you're speaking.  I have to say they were so excited about what we brought to the show, our versions of their characters, it never felt like there was any pressure.  The whole team from London has embraced us, making it so easy to perform with them in the audience. 

The show has been tweaked for a Canadian audience, with added Canadian references that certainly garner some laughs in between tense moments.  Did you (as an actor) have any input in what types of references went into the production? 

Andy and Jeremy and Sean all encouraged us to come up with Canadian references prior to our first reading.  Which was brilliant, I found it really helped me develop my character of Mike Priddle and his world.  Ultimately they had the final say - but it was collaborative in the best way possible.  Strangely enough, so much of my stuff held up for its Canadian transformation, much less was changed than I thought.  A real testimoney to the strength and universality of the writing. 

There has been a lot of talk that "the first rule of Ghost stories is that you don't talk about Ghost Stories".  What do you think is so special about this show that helps ensure the secrets are kept?

I think if people have had a great time at the show, they "get" that NOT KNOWING is the key.  It's like joining a club, or being in a Magicians Union - you just respect the rules of the club.  It's so great that people have honoured that, and it's rare! 

Since the show started previews in Toronto, have you had any audience members get really scared? Any panic attacks or people crying?

I can't divulge anything about my story, but at one performance while I was on stage during a "certain part" a woman exclaimed in a nervous way something like "oh no...this can't be good..." and then yelled "Don't go in there!!!"  It tickled me to see how invested she was.  We get all kinds of screams and nervous laughter and people hiding behind coats, sweaters and other audience members.  It's a riot every night! 

The show focuses on the paranormal and the stories that have been told over the years - do you have a favourite Ghost Story of your own? 

Yes! For years I went to a summer camp and each year the counselors would tell the tale of Anson Miner every July 1st (the apparently anniversary of Anson's death).  In the tale he went mad, murdered his wife, locked his son in the garage and then murdered himself.  The kicker was, he had a wooden leg from a tractor accident and a ball and chain.  He carried a green lanter which they swore you could see moving through the orchard on his farm every July 1st.  Then while we were all lying in our cabin, some other staff member would be outside the cabin.  At the key moment in the story, they would bang the side of the cabin, scratching their hands all the way along the cabin creating the dragging sound of his wooden leg.  YES - I was about 8 years old and this was the story I was told.  It freaked me out!!!

Finally, for those people who are a little too scared to come and see the show, what would you say to encourage them to be brave enough to get tickets?

You know, different things scare or frighten people differently...so I would say it's NOT just a scream fest.  It has great laughs, it's provocative and it challenges you to think about these stories and what your belief system is.  But ultimately, it's all good fun and if you are brave enough to come with an open mind I think you will have a blast! 

When and Where?

Ghost Stories
The Panasonic Theatre

Now on Stage!

Performance Schedule:
Tue 7:30pm; Wed 1:30 & 7:30pm
Thu / Fri 7:30pm
Sat 5 & 8:30pm
Sun 3pm & 7pm
Show is 80 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.mirvish.com/ghoststories or at www.ghoststoriestoronto.com and by phone at 416-872-1212

$25 Lottery "Scream Seats"

18 seats are available each day for all performances, at $25 each (cash only) by lottery. Patrons can enter the lottery two hours prior to each performance, with a limit of one entry per person.

The draw will begin 1 ½ hours prior to showtime. Photo ID is required.

Please note Ghost Stories does have a warning of being appropriate for ages 14+, and those with a nervous disposition are cautioned.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.