Ghost Stories Reviews

Anonymous from Toronto

LOVED THIS SHOW!!!

LOVED this show! Very well done! I must've jumped out of my seat at least 5 times!!! Actors were great!

Ian C. from Toronto

A REVIEW FROM SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY SAW THE SHOW...

I'm convinced that most of the negative reviews on here are from people who didn't really attend, and just wanted to trash something that got bad press. I thought the play was VERY well written and performed, and the set pieces were fantastic. As for how scary it truly was - that's entirely up to what you are personally spooked by! The show hit on a couple of my personal phobias (not saying which ones!), so I got some genuine shout-out-loud frights from it. If you are expecting some "Saw"-style gore-fest, look elsewhere, but if you grew up on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "Tales Of The Unexpected", or "The Twilight Zone" and like your horror done with some creepy subtlety (and comic relief - the show is also very funny!), then definitely check it out!!!

Michael Kras from Hamilton

AN ATMOSPHERIC, CHILLING EXPERIENCE.

I saw the premiere of Ghost Stories last night and, as an avid horror fan who has been waiting to see this showcsince its London run, I had high expectations. The show positively delivered. With excellent performances by the entire cast, effective use of light and sound, and great scripting by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson featuring some very intense dialogue, this show was often creepy, occasionally very scary, and always captivating. Professor Goodman's final monologue in particular was effectively written. In short, I loved the show and, if you can appreciate REAL horror that ramps up the tension and chills you to the bone, and not mainstream shit that everyone expects, you will too. Don't listen to the people here that didn't take the care to immerse themselves in the performance and get taken away by it.

Ricci from Toronto

REALISTIC REVIEW

I am really surprised to see all these negative reviews here. I'm not sure what people expect from a live play? Perhaps the commercials were a bit over-the-top, setting extremely high expectations, but did people really think that they could die of fear watching it? To compare it to movies is crazy because films have limitless ways to scare you just due to their medium. To expect the same or a more fearful result from live actors is just plain silly. That being said, my wife and I had a good time. I'm probably the bravest person you'll never meet (lol) so it was entertaining for me and I appreciated the well-designed set pieces, the storyline/arc, and the actors were all great. My wife screamed her head off throughout the play. Overall, it was an enjoyable time and the atmosphere was done up nicely to set the right mood. I would recommend it to people who have *realistic* expectations and wish to be entertained/put in a 'dark' setting but not necessarily 'scared to death'.

Ricci from Toronto

TO LANCE

Yes, I agree that the commercial set apparently too high of an expectation, but I like to judge for myself and not be influenced by what other people say, hyperbolic commercial notwithstanding. It was an enjoyable experience for my wife and I, but obviously if people expected to be 'scared to death', believing literally what the commercial proposed, then they would be sorely disappointed. I guess that I'm more realistic because how exactly can it be scary...it's not as if they set up 'ghosts' sitting next to you/coming down from the rafters/etc and everything is restricted to the stage w/o the benefit of movie fx. The conclusion for the show's producers is perhaps to tone down the commercial's hype of the show in future launches, given all this backlash from attendees. However, the reason they supposedly put the warning of people w/ weak dispositions is because some people actually had panic attacks from previous shows.

Gracie Smith from toronto

GO SEE IT

I am really disappointed with all the negative reviews. I saw the play on Saturday a thought it was great. Some slow parts, some jumpy parts but overall really good. Might not been as scary as advertised but what do you expect from a play. The sets where well done and there was an unpredictable twist at the end. I will recommend it to my friends for sure!

Ambleman from Toronto

REALLY GOOD TIME!

Went to the invited dress and really had a great time. The tension is excellent and the jumps are plenty. This isn't high end stuff but honestly, I really had a great time! And judging by all the screaming from the audience, they did too! And talk about TWISTS! I'm not saying any more! Just GO!

Anonymous from Toronto

IT WAS GREAT

Don't let these idiots that wrote the negative reviews turn you off... The show was great, I took my wife and we had a blast with it. You can't go expecting it to be like a scary movie. the stories are good the atmosphere is creepy.. Go see it, you'll laugh at the humor and cringe at the rest

JO from Toronto

A FUN NIGHT OUT!

After reading a number of poor reviews, we were worried about having spent money on tickets but the show was GOOD! I don't know why everyone has been so hard on it. It was a well acted, fun night at the theatre with some really good scares and the full house audience obviously enjoyed the show. Maybe folks who equate horror with blood and gore wouldn't appreciate it but it was a good story with some genuine scares - Go see it!

LHicks from Toronto

EXCELLENT FUN!

I thought the show was outstanding! I am not sure what more people could expect? It made me jump a few times, laugh a lot and held my attention the entire time! The stage sets were incredible and the acting excellent. You can't go into this play expecting a Phantom of the Opera type performance, but a great one nonetheless. I think some folks wanted more horror and gore but it's a Paranormal theme, not horror. All in all a great experience that I would indeed recommend.

SS from Toronto

NOT THAT BAD!

I went with my boyfriend to this show Wed night and reading all the reviews on this website beforehand I was going in expecting a bad performance. However I was pleasantly surprised. This show wasn't as horrible as everyone is making it out to be. No, it's not scary, but it is definitely entertaining and different. There were times where I jumped and it was just good old fun. This is a show not a Hollywood movie so u can only expect it to be scary and entertaining to a certain extent. I would definitely recommend it.

Superstar from Toronto

GO WITH AN OPEN MIND

So alot of people are seeing this show only to get the scared kind of feelings they got from movies like "Paranormal Activity" or "Blair Witch Project". Is it scary? No. Will you jump and possibly scream? Yes. However, it's more than that. It's a cool concept that deals with psychology, belief, and guilt. I really enjoyed it for what it was, a character study. Not very "Ghost"-y, but a great "Story".

P.S. from Toronto

LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE!

I went to the dress rehearsal and found the show to be a good old fashioned "things that go bump in the night" ghost story. I love all types of storytelling. Maybe the critics are just jaded viewers who only think of horror in terms of today's sado- masochistic torture porn? Just be a little more open to good old fashioned fun?! Would recommend

Jennifer W from Toronto

WORTH SEEING BUT NOT OVERLY TERRIFYING

I wasn't expecting to be scared out of my wits, after all, this is a play. Was I entertained? Yes. Was this original and something I'd never seen before? Yes. Did I have fun getting scared a couple times and giggling at how I jumped at certain parts? Yes. It's a little silly at times but its creepy and fun. A nice way to spend a Saturday night. I do think paying anymore than $40 is too much for this particular production. I paid $40 and left happy. Would I recommend this Ghost Stories play? Absolutely.

Blase from Toronto

"MEH"

Saw it--very "meh" (ok/nothing special), sorry. Maybe if you aren't used to horror at all, it may possibly spook you, but if you are a horror connoisseur, it will do absolutely, positively nothing for you. I kept waiting and waiting for the apparent "really scary stuff" to occur, but it never did. I thank my lucky stars I got severely discounted tickets, because if I paid full listed price, I would have been A LOT more annoyed. This show is worth only about $30-$40 MAX--the production is not even anywhere near impressive enough to justify anything higher. So if you're curious, I suggest either getting discount tickets, or staying home.

Bob from Toronto

WHATEVER

Nothing special. Not that scary (mildly spooky at best). Does NOT live up to the hype AT ALL. Was just....ok. Could have been better. Not worth $79....

Viper from Toronto

NOT AS TERRIBLE AS PEOPLE SAY

Ok i read all reviews everywhere i could find them an despite all the negative reviews went...i already had my tickets. I found the show entertaining. No not terrifying but entertaining in a way I had not been entertained before. It remindd me of a live movie. Had its boring parts setting up the stories and some entertaining parts. Was it worth a full price ticket...probably not. Worth $30-$40 discounted tickets..yes. Its not the feel good performance you get from regular theater but like i said etertaining. I really think more jump out of your seat moments could have been added as well. Another thing... The Brits have more of a base sense of humour and also a more base sense of fear. They tend to be more histrionic. This could explain their reaction to the show we see on the previews.

Dermot Carrington from Toronto ON Canada

GHOST STORIES??? REALLY?

I was really excited to see this show. Having read some reviews of the London production that gave little away but still had a bit a info. Just saw the show this afternoon April 2 and my friend and I did not find the show as scary as it claims to be. Maybe we were too pumped for it. Or maybe it's because you can't really pull off a "horror" play. People say they have a hard time sleeping after they see the show, not me. The Paranormal Activity movies were far more disturbing than this show. It just resorted to a lot of jump scares and startling moments of darkness and loud sounds. If I had gotten the tix discounted I wouldn't feel so ripped off but having paid full price I really didn't feel it was worth the money I spent.

Anonymous from Toronto

14+?

the only reason there is a "14+" warning is because there is some profane language and porno moaning featured in a few sections....it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the scare level. the scare levels are probably appropriate for younger than that. it was ok, but i feel like this was promoted in a grossly misleading way. if it was just promoted as a spooky themed show (and not 'the scariest show ever, you will die of fright!'), i don't think as many people would be annoyed. you can check it out, but just know what you're getting...

Janice k. from Toronto

$25-$30 IS ABOUT WHATS IT'S WORTH

really the advs for this show are a total joke and definite false advertising. this show was ok (not that scary etc).....but i certainly wouldn't recommend it either. i got super discounted tickets for $25 (probably because no one was buying anymore after word got out!) and it was fine for $25....but when i think of what the regular/standard price was for these tix??? wow. let's just say i feel VERY bad for the people who got gipped into paying full price....NOT WORTH IT. $25, sure, ok (it's worth that price), but anything above, no way...

Anonymous from Anytown, AT 55555

I SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO THE REVIEWS!

Not good. Could've been so much better! The idea is a great one but they botched it up big time. It was boring actually, only a couple scares.

Big sister V from toronto

NOT SCARY

I would have been a bit happier if my tickets were $40 each. But being a huge fan of scary things, we paid the $75 for good seats. Wish so much we had gone out for drinks and dinner instead. Was not scary at all. More humour than fear. Loud things to make you jump, but not scary. Very disappointing!!

Aron from Toronto

NICE TRY, BUT WRONG APPROACH.

CONS: Story was cliched. Performers were over scripted and unconvincing. Dialogue was contrived. Monologues were long and drawn out. Unimaginative directing resulted in stock performances. Scares were few and far between and were mostly obnoxiously shocking rather than genuinely scary. Suspense and dark moments with simple yet creative scares were greatly lacking. PROS: Sets were clever & lighting was creative at times. The few moments of suspense & subtle scares were effective but could have done with way more. (ie. sudden appearances from the dark). OVERALL: Not great at all in my opinion. Between my group of four, we concocted dozens of simple ideas and a much more interactive use of actors and scares placed within the audience that would of increased the scare factor ten fold. A more creative and less theatrical approach would have gone a long way. We were hoping for an 'experience', but we got lame thrills, loud noises and too much 'acting' instead.

L.B. from Barrie, On.

MEDIOCRE AT BEST

I had anticipated an amazing event as purchased for a birthday gift for a friend. By far the most disappointing show in my history of theatre attendance. The odd special effect and accompanying sound gave a start - momentarily. Some clever set design. All in all a great waste of travel time to Toronto and expense of tickets. I have always been a great fan of Mirvish productions. This performance was not up to standard.

Brian from Toronto

TOO MUCH HYPE!

Waste of time and money! Ouch!!!!, that was totally unnecessary!

Not scared from Toronto

REALLY DISAPPOINTED

When you watch the video clip from the London production, and you hear people are afraid to go home etc. you get really excited and have high expectations. Not only is the show not scary, it's actually boring...at time scenes drag on and you think, ok...it's leading up to something great. No it's really not. This is not a good show at all. If anything there are some funny parts, but definitely nothing scary. They could have done more than they did but overall....would not recommend at all.

Not scared from Toronto

REALLY DISAPPOINTED

When you watch the video clip from the London production, and you hear people are afraid to go home etc. you get really excited and have high expectations. Not only is the show not scary, it's actually boring...at time scenes drag on and you think, ok...it's leading up to something great. No it's really not. This is not a good show at all. If anything there are some funny parts, but definitely nothing scary. They could have done more than they did but overall....would not recommend at all.

Stephanie from Toronto

REALLY REALLY TERRIBLE

we went to the April 2 show. I usually scare very easily but my husband loves scary things (movies, Halloween, horror nights at Wonderland). The show had potential with the idea of a professor giving a presentation on paranormal activity. However, the script was so incredibly weak, the acting was juvenile, and the stunts amateurish. It was truly one of the worst productions we have seen, and shocking that it's a Mirvish show. Would absolutely not recommend this show to anyone. A waste of a night and good money

Jaydee from Toronto

UGH!

well, at the beginning of the show theatergoers are advised that if they leave the theater for any reason, they may not be permitted back in---TAKE THIS ADVICE AND GO TO THE BATHROOM AFTER THE FIRST 5 MINUTES!! (then you won't be permitted back in to be tortured for the rest of the 80 minute "show")!!!! zzzzzzzzzzzzz----i could have taken that $160.oo for 2 tix and given it to a homeless person who could have used it more wisely!!

Jizelle from Toronto

WASTE OF MONEY

I went to see ghost stories on April 3rd. I have to say I was highly disappointed, it was NOT scary at all, the few parts that made you laugh were just stupid funny. Glad I only paid $40 each ticket, as I say, waste of money!!

Average Jane from Toronto

KINDA BORING AND NOT AT ALL SCARY

I thought when the show started that we might see a few documented ghost stories. There were a couple of photographs, sort of thrown in as filler and otherwise unimpressive. The acted out "stories" wouldn't scare my 80 year old grandma. The audience laughed twice but not where they were supposed to, nobody screamed. They think flashing lights and sudden loud noises will make you jump; so does a car back-firing but it doesn't mean you were scared of it. Cheap and cheesy. At least I was comped the tickets, I would have been peeved if I'd payed for them.

Anita Brown from Toronto, Ontario

BORE FEST!

I expected more thrills and chills for my buck. For the money I spent on 2 tickets, I could have gone to a show stopper, award winning production such as Lion King. It was really hokey and cheesey! Save your money!

Giltay from Toronto

IRRITATING

A largely amateurish production. It relies on sudden loud noises to startle you. Unfortunately, all the other sound FX are far too loud as well. The stories don't go anywhere, they just plod slowly along until the next "scare", which either happens at so random a time as to be meaningless or is telegraphed so far in advance as to lose its power. I heard lots of laughs—sometimes in response to deliberate comedy—but few screams. There's a clumsy attempt to weave everything together with a theme of guilt, but it's inconsistent and misses the mark. The way the three stories fit into the main story is underdeveloped. Too much time is spent watching a powerpoint lecture. Also, for some reason, there are no female characters. The one thing I liked about the show was the sets. They are minimalistic but very atmospheric. If the rest of the show had followed suit, I might have actually been scared.

Joseph G. from Toronto

NOT VERY GOOD

Horrible. Not scary. Don't waste your money. Don't bother reading any (fake) "reviews" on any of the show's official pages--they are HEAVILY moderated and anything even REMOTELY negative gets promptly deleted. Thank God I found this place where people can leave their HONEST opinions and don't get deleted. Lame.

Lance from Toronto

YEAH, BECAUSE 98% OF THE GROSS MAJORITY ARE "IDIOTS"..LOL

Looks like the members of the "Ghost Stories" team found this place and set their cronies up to leave themselves good reviews... I'd like to ask how 98% of the entire reviewing population can be "idiots" if they agree that this show was disappointing as all hell and overrpriced amateur crap? Please. The only "idiots" are those who actually think this can pass as even partially acceptable theater. If anyone HONESTLY thinks that, they need to get out more and see some "real" live theater shows....

French from hamilton

NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING

Jump twice that's all i remember as i was fighting to stay awake i felt bad for the actors .I feel like i paid for nothing . I read the review and as i already had ticket i went and saw for myself . You don't have ticket yet don't waist your money

Jessica p. from Toronto

A REAL SNORE

terrible acting and script and cheesey "scares" (if you can even call them that). really felt like a waste of money. my advice is to save your money and go somewhere else...

Anonymous from Toronto

BAD SHOW

I love live theater (normally) and was excited when I heard about this play. Luckily I got the tickets at 1/2 price otherwise I would be REALLY upset. The show is boring, not scary AT ALL and short (80 min.) In the first 'story' you sit and watch a 'security guard' on the job which lasts for about 10-15 minutes of him doing nothing!! The ending is so abrupt that most people didn't even realize it was over! A waste of time & money. I think the premise is good but they could have made it much better and much scarier. Bottom line: The only thing scary here is the loss of your time & money!

She from Toronto

I WISH I LIVED IN THE UK FOR THIS ONE...

Ghost stories was not really scary at all. It relied on loud sudden noises to startle you. Im glad i only paid 13$ to see this play, because had i paid anymore than that... i would be really annoyed. i cant say i hated it, but don't see it if you're paying over 13$ because it is not worth it!

Jay from Toronto

TOTALLY TERRIBLE !

Totally ripoff if you paid. Just a few loud bangs and bright lights. Really amateurish juvenile humor. Nothing creative or scary. Just plain wrong to be hyped this way. I was embarrassed sitting there. Avoid.

Anonymous from Anytown, AT 55555

SO SO BAD

I am still in shock with the lame, Oh so lame production of Ghost Stories. This was as good as an elementary school production. In fact an elementary school would of done a better job. I only gave it a "1" because they had moderatly cool beer there. I am still in shock and not from fear, in disbelief of how bad this show was. With all the technology today I was surprised Panasonic would allow this to happen in their theatre. It was scarier riding the subway to get there and seeing the freak with purple spiked hair. I have to admit the scariest part was how much they charged for a ticket. My six year old would of laughed at this. P.S. DON'T GO

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