Starring Olivier nominated actor and former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan as John Blondel and Daniel Rainford as The Speaker, When Darkness Falls is a brand new spine-chilling ghost story that will have you on the edge of your seat. It comes to Oldham Coliseum as part of a national tour just in time for Halloween, from Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 October.

On a stormy night on the small island of Guernsey, a young paranormal expert joins a sceptical history teacher to record the first in a series of podcasts based on the island’s incredible folklore and paranormal history.  As the expert regales his horrifying stories, the teacher learns that we all have our own truth, our own story.  Ghosts that haunt us; that bring the past, present and future together in unexpected ways; ways that can threaten to unsettle everything we think we know.

"Some people believe in ghosts. Some don’t. Since their existence is not proved beyond all possible doubt, to many they remain folklore: the stuff of legend. Spooky Tales of beasts and spirits, spectres, and ghouls. But to many others, ghosts are quite real". 

Inspired by true events, this powerful new production by James Milton and Paul Morrissey draws us into dark pasts, reveals disturbing truths and explores the power of stories.  

Actor, film and documentary maker, former Chief Scout and 1980s Blue Peter man, Peter Duncan has a theatre, TV and film career that spans five decades.  Peter began his career on stage, joining Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre.  He became a household name when he joined Blue Peter in 1980.  After TV presenting, he began to appear in musical theatre roles such as Barnum, Bill Snibson in Me And My Girl, Charlie Chaplin in The Little Tramp and Denry Machin in The Card, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award as Best Actor in a Musical.  More recently, he appeared as Wilbur Turnblad in the UK Tour of Hairspray. 

Daniel Rainford recently completed a UK tour of Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful, in which he played the lead role, Tommo - a role he also played in its original run at the Nottingham Playhouse.  His other stage credits include Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia at London’s Almeida Theatre.  His screen credits include this year’s The Batman starring Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz.  Rhys Jennings will be the understudy for both roles.

The show's illusions are designed by John Bulleid, an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star, whose other theatre credits include The Ocean At The End Of The Lane (The National Theatre - associate to Jamie Harrison), Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Palace Theatre, London - current Magic & Illusion assistant) and The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre, London - associate to Chris Fisher).

Writers Paul Morrissey and James Milton have worked together for the past 15 years.  James is currently Head of Content for the new Holocaust Galleries at Imperial War Museum.  His first book, The Holocaust, was published in 2021.  Paul has written several other plays including Bingo, The Wickies and Alcatraz.

When Darkness falls is directed by Paul Morrissey and designed by Justin Williams, with lighting by Bethany Gupwell and sound by Daniel Higgott. The UK tour is produced by Paul Morrissey Ltd, Christopher Wheeler and Molly Morris in association with The BARD, Jason Haigh-Ellery and Glynis Henderson Productions.

When Darkness Falls comes to Oldham Coliseum Theatre from Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 October.