Halifax Ghost Story Festival Schedule 2010
FRIDAY October 29 2010
In The Viaduct: the spookiest theatre in The North : Half Hour Horror: 7.15pm
A new play from Canada: Lily Rose by Aurora De Pena. World premiere directed by Rose Burnett Bonczek of Brooklyn College, New York
Gi60 – Ghosts in 60 Seconds: 8pm
The highlight of the evening: a new take on Screaming Media Productions’ acclaimed (and funny) 60 minute playwriting festival. But with a Hallowe’en twist! Co-directed by multi-talented, award-winning director Steve Ansell, and his partner in crime, Rose Burnett Bonczek of Brooklyn College New York – Rose normally directs the American version of Gi60 (aka Gone in 60 Seconds) from the other side of the pond. Fast, furious and frightening! £6 for two plays.
In the Viaduct Café: 9pm onwards
Drinks and nibbles with the Screaming Media cast and contributors to activities on Saturday October 30th
Food available if ordered in advance (Vegetarian Curry and Rice plus Toffee Apple Muffin). FANCY DRESS OPTIONAL!
SATURDAY October 30 2010
Morning Sessions
Tartarus Press: 11am-1pm (Adults)
FREE event. Yorkshire-based, award-winning genre publishers Tartarus Press have an international reputation. Expect informed discussion, readings and talks. A chance to meet some impressive authors and experts, including Dr Gail-Nina Anderson and Mark Valentine. The best in haunted fiction, from the psychological to the downright horrific. In the evening, Ray Russell of Tartarus Press (nominated for a prize in the World Fantasy Awards this Hallowe’en) will share the stage with the League of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson, in a discussion about the late, great Robert Aickman. Please book in advance to secure a place, morning and evening sessions
Phoenix FM: Story and Art: 9.30am-11am (Children)
Howard Priestley of Phoenix FM demonstrates how to plan and draw comics (for older children). Plus a horror stop-motion workshop: using Lego or plasticine, make your own mini animated film with the TWELVE WIRES animation group from Huddersfield University (12 years +). Book early! Art and stories for ages 6-10 and their carers. Plus books for sale, courtesy of Huddersfield Children’s Bookshop (one of the best bookshops in the UK). All activities FREE, but must be pre-booked. Places limited!
Chris Mould and David Melling: 11.30-1pm (Children)
Two talented illustrators and writers of children’s books hold a lively “draw-along” session, plus talks. Scary was never so much fun! Beguiling artwork, believable fiction. Tickets £5 each, but places are limited, so book early. Ages 7-11. Those attending must gather in the Crossley Gallery at 11.15am
Afternoon Sessions
Chris Priestley: 1.30-2.30pm (Children)
Award-winning storyteller Chris Priestly is the author of Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror (he also happens to be a newspaper cartoonist and illustrator). Moreover Priestley is a long-time fan of MR James’ ghost stories. Here he talks about his children’s fiction and his love of the supernatural. For ages 10–14 (and their parents!). Note: Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror is on the Booked Up list for Year 7 students. Tickets £5 each. Places limited. Book early.
GP Taylor: Ghosts, Vampires and Ghouls: 2pm-3pm (Adults & Children)
GP Taylor is a priest, exorcist and paranormal expert: but he is better known as the author of the Shadowmancer series. A New York Times best selling author, published in 48 languages, Taylor takes the stage in the dungeon-like Viaduct Theatre and digs into the dark depths of his imagination. Prepare to be scared. Tickets £7 (adults), £3.50 for children/consc. Book early.
Mark Morris, Nicholas Royle, Stephen Volk and Conrad Williams : 4.00pm-5.30pm (Adults)
Mark Morris is the author of 17 novels, as well as being a scriptwriter and award-winning editor. Nicholas Royle is a renowned novelist, short story writer and editor, and also a small-press publisher with Nightjar Press. Stephen Volk is the writer of the notorious BBC Halloween “hoax” Ghostwatch and the ITV drama series Afterlife. Conrad Williams is the author of six novels (his latest is Blonde on a Stick) and almost 100 published short stories. Prepare to be spooked! Readings from Mark, Nicholas and Conrad, plus a spine-chilling TV presentation from Stephen, will be followed by discussion of all things ghostly. Definitely not to be missed. Book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets £4
Saturday Evening/Late Night Sessions
Jeremy Dyson (League of Gentlemen) and Tartarus Press: 7pm-9pm
Robert Aickman is one of our finest ghost story writers – now out of print! Jeremy Dyson is a long-time fan, and he has taken time off from his new West End production of Ghost Stories to tell us why Aickman is such a great writer. Ray Russell of Tartarus Press is a fan as well, and he not only joins in the discussion, but Tartarus also offers a rare chance to buy one of Aickman’s short stories in a limited edition run of 200 -– an unmissable offer at paperback prices. Hurry! Get your rare copy signed by Jeremy Dyson. Tickets only £5 each
Fine Time Fontayne: Spirits With The Spirits: 9.30pm-Midnight
Much loved actor Fine Time Fontayne and Sandra Hunt (both well known to Northern Broadsides’ audiences), read five spine tingling stories – each one accompanied by a themed alcoholic drink which the audience is invited to imbibe (all alcohol optional and served on a “pay as you go” basis). Join two of the UK’s top storytellers as they share their collection of uncanny tales. Eat, drink and be scared! The best way to see in Hallowe’en. Tickets for Fine Time Fontayne and Sandra Hunt: only £8
Selection of alchohol optional: pay by the firkin, flute or flagon on the night
Food available if booked in advance: Pumkin Soup, bread and cheese, parkin and fruit. £6.50 per serving
SUNDAY October 31 2010
Morning session
Annapurna Indian Dance: The Gods of India and the After-Life: 11am-12 noon
A different take on the hereafter from the Indian sub-continent. Vibrant dance and rhythms from Shanta Rao. Free event.
Afternoon sessions
The Ghost Stories of MR James: from Print to Film: 2pm-6.15pm (screenings and interview)
Victorian writer and scholar MR James devoted his life to writing ghost stories, creating atmospheric and macarbre tales which set the benchmark for the genre (and which sometimes displayed James’s very dark sense of humour). The Stalls of Barchester was the first of James’s short stories to be adapted as part of the BBC’s A Ghost Story for Christmas strand between 1971 and 1978. This Sunday’s four hour homage looks at the work of key director Lawrence Gordon Clark, who filmed that very first adaptation and whose work is revered to this day.
Tickets: £7 all-day film pass
Triple Bill: Classic Films from the MR James Ghost Story for Christmas Series: 2pm-3.45pm
Three of Lawrence Gordon Clark’s landmark MR James films: a powerful, evocative blend of pre-digital film skills, superb acting and masterly direction.
All-day film pass: only £7
-The Ash Tree: Dir. Lawrence Gordon Clark GB 1975. 32 mins (adv PG)
Edward Petherbridge, Preston Lockwood, Barbara Ewing, Lalla Ward, Lucy Griffiths, David Pugh
Edward Petherbridge delivers a brilliantly restrained turn as Sir Richard Fell, the new squire of Castringham Hall. In this rarely-screened MR James adaptation, the sins of the father (or in this case, the great-uncle) are visited on a new generation. Soon after his arrival at Castringham Hall, Sir Richard is plagued by visions of the past, and strange noises emanate from the old ash tree outside his bedroom window. It is said that MR James’ own terror of spiders could have been the inspiration for this sinister tale.
-Lost Hearts: Dir. Lawrence Gordon Clark GB 1973. 35 mins (adv PG)
Simon Gipps-Kent, Joseph O’Connor, James Mellor, Christopher Davis, Michelle Foster
An orphan is sent to live with his elderly, well-to-do cousin, only to discover that this ancient relative is a predatory madman with a secret life that involves the search for immortality. Clark’s faithful re-telling of James’s short story is a gruesome little gem, and powerfully delivered.
-The Treasure of Abbot Thomas: Dir. Lawrence Gordon Clark GB 1974. 37 mins (adv PG)
Michael Bryant, John Herrington, Paul Lavers, Frank Mills, Peggy Aitchison, Sheila Dunn, Anne Blake, Viriginia Balfour
A professor follows clues left in a university library during his search for the lost treasure of alchemist Abbot Thomas. However, the professor’s greed, combined with his skepticism about the supernatural, prove to be his downfall when he fails to heed any warnings about the treasure’s mysterious guardian. This cautionary tale boasts glossy production values and some brilliantly executed shocks. Moreover the closing moments provide some of the most effective chills of the whole Ghost Story for Christmas series
All-day film pass: only £7
Lawrence Gordon Clark in conversation with Tony Earnshaw: 4pm-5pm
LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK is a revered figure among aficionados of eerie TV: he was responsible for a string of classic adaptations of MR James ghost stories. Beginning with The Stalls of Barchester, first broadcast on Christmas Eve, 1971, Clark created an annual feast of televisual terror that has rarely been surpassed. Between 1971 and 1977, he helmed six creepy tales in the BBC’s A Ghost Story for Christmas strand, all but one of them (Stigma) by the prolific MR James. He returned to the format in 1995 with the Yorkshire Television series, Chiller. And now in the 21st century, he writes his own ghostly fiction. We are delighted to welcome him to Halifax
TONY EARNSHAW is Artistic Director of Bradford International Film Festival and the Fantastic Films Weekend; he is also Head of Film Programming at the National Media Museum in Bradford. He is a broadcaster, lecturer and award-winning author, and film critic for the Yorkshire Post.
A Warning to the Curious: 5.15pm-6.10pm
Dir. Lawrence Gordon Clark GB 1972. 50 mins (adv PG)
Peter Vaughan, Clive Swift, Julian Herrington, John Kearney
A treasure-hunting amateur archaeologist gets much more than he bargained for when he discovers three ancient crowns buried on the Norfolk coast. Peter Vaughan is the unfortunate victim in this classic slice of Jamesian terror, in which a hapless adventurer meddles with things best left alone…An eerie, subtle and respectful adaptation, and arguably Clark’s best work
All day film pass: only £7