This review was originally written for The Reviews Hub: https://www.thereviewshub.com/paranormal-activity-ambassadors-theatre-london/

It is not the place that is haunted, but people who are; the foundation that Paranormal Activity builds itself upon and largely lands with in this unapologetically chaotic and dark thriller.

Levi Holloway’s script, a new story inspired by the original film series, centres around newlyweds James (Patrick Heusinger) and Lou (Melissa James), who have moved to the UK from Chicago, desperate to escape their troubled American lives. It does not take long for the couple to experience paranormal happenings in their new home, as things take an increasingly dark and sinister turn.

Felix Barrett’s direction of Heusinger and James is effective in reflecting a couple on the edge. Heusinger’s James, initially disbelieving of his wife’s visions, soon succumbs, while James’ frantic Lou is utterly engrossing as a woman on the edge of sanity. The direction also works successfully with Fly Davis’ design, as the set, an open-plan two-storey house, offers audiences an intimate view into the couple’s life. The slow reveal of the set during the play’s opening moments only enhances the feeling of dread and fear of what is to come, but what also impacts is how the open-plan layout makes it difficult to focus on just one thing, which is ideal for a production that relies on jump scares.

It is a production that thrives on its special effects, and without giving too much away, does an awful lot right in using the technical wizardry of a theatre to evoke the same cinematic tension that its movie predecessor has in abundance. The booming sound system is put to good use by Gareth Fry’s evocative design, while Luke Halls’ video design is woven nicely into the fearmongering, too. Chris Fisher’s illusion design, in particular, stands out as a particular highlight in this production, with plenty of flickers and tricks of the eye, as well as some utterly disturbing visions, appearing throughout, forcing you to question not just what it is, but how it is that they do it. While it takes a little while for these to get going, once they do, leading on from a terrific finale to Act One and an utterly absorbing second half, the piece becomes completely engrossing as the illusions and the horror ramp up.

There is a slick blend of illusions, projections, impressive props and lighting, which all enhance the creepy atmosphere, paying homage to its film versions while also not taking itself too seriously, which only enhances it further. It does go a bit overboard in places, but largely the scares work, flying in and out at such a speed that it never really lets up for the audience. Indeed, where Paranormal Activity really works is in the responses it elicits from its audience, which in turn rubs off on those around them.

There is a terrific moment of dread that completely washes over the audience when the first blackout falls, and this remains until the curtain call as the stakes for both the characters and the audience increase. Holloway’s script has a good blend of chilling one-liners alongside some decent humour, and this draws audiences into a false sense of security before delivering another scare.

While Paranormal Activity is not the scariest thing to grace the stage, there is a lot here that will leave audiences on tenterhooks. Some of the scares are a little obvious, but its dark and genuinely chilling final few moments land well, and will leave fans old and new to the series delighted from the comfort of peeking through their hands.