A Ghost in Your Ear at Hampstead Theatre Review
Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings: Thematic: depictions of hanging and childhood trauma and references to parental death and grief. Technical: strobe, periods of darkness, sudden noises.
A grey January day with pouring rain is the perfect atmosphere for a tale of spine chilling horror. Situated in the lower space of Hampstead Theatre, A Ghost in Your Ear is the second play from writer and director Jamie Armitage. While his first play was a police procedural, A Ghost in Your Ear ventures into the realm of psychological horror.
The set, designed by Anisha Fields, is simple but deceptive in many forms. At first, it looks like a booth recording studio, complete with a microphone in the shape of a head. However, in its very ordinariness lies a layered world of fear. The audience is separated from the booth by thick glass walls, but they feel thinner and more fragile as the story progresses. Ben Jacobs’ lighting direction works incredibly well with the set to create an atmosphere of dread and unease that increases throughout the show. There is the use of strobe lighting during the jump scare moments, which works well to heighten the confusion and terror felt by the audience and cast. The binaural audio is spectacular. It genuinely feels as if someone is breathing on your neck or that the footsteps you hear are genuinely behind you. The use of binaural sound effects also means that it will come from different sides of your headphones, and it is incredibly crystal clear. Armitage has worked with sound designers Ben and Max Ringham to create a horror story that is deeply immersive and decidedly creepy in tone.
There is a reminder before the show gets underway that the ghost is not in the real world but within your ear. You will forget that anything beyond the sound booth exists, as all you can think of is seeing the sound effects created in front of you. Its use in a horror play is a powerful and new development in theatre. This is a deeply psychological show that relies on your mind to create the fear. Without many spoilers, if you have a nervous disposition like mine, then you don't need to worry about visual gore. However, there are items used to convey the moments of terror, and they are used spectacularly well.
The influence of M R James, especially the Tractate Middoth, and of other prolific ghost writers, including Dickens, is distinct in this piece. Jamie Armitage has created a deeply unique voice that nods to these past giants and has created a stunning work that is deeply rooted in modern society and with a storyline that will literally haunt you afterwards. The themes of the show focus on grief and the impact it can have on our lives, as well as the lengths to which individuals can go in order to protect their children.
As a cautionary tale of the cycles of abuse and trauma being shaped, created and broken by each generation, it is powerful and deeply profound. The actors were completely captivating to watch and had excellent chemistry. George (George Blagden) is a down on his luck voice artist who is in desperate need of cash, so he doesn’t question when his friend and recording engineer Sid (Jonathan Livingstone), suggests recording a ghost story audiobook that has a deadline to complete for the next day. Blagden is incredible as the voice artist and uses his voice in an incredibly layered way to create all of the sound effects we hear in the unfurling ghost story. His fear and growing confusion were palpable and deeply impressive to watch. Livingstone was also impressive as the jovial friend who had many hidden shadows and was magnetic in showing the twists and turns of the story.
The pacing works extremely well to stoke the fire that is the audience’s fear. The story slowly unfurls with plenty of twists and turns that will shock and scare the audience, along with sinister revelations and humorous twists as well. The show runs for ninety minutes straight through with no interval. The story is excellently wound tightly throughout so there is never a wasted moment.
You cannot re-enter if you leave the auditorium, but staff are very supportive and inclusive towards the audience if they are nervous or too frightened to continue. You are also told you can remove the headphones if you need a break from the story. This is a masterpiece of horror. It is simultaneously an instant classic and a pioneer in theatrical storytelling. A Ghost in Your Ear is a phenomenal psychological horror, and a must-see for any horror fan. If you enjoy exceptionally well-written chilling stories that will frighten you and leave you shivering long after the final lines, then this is the show for you.
Running until 31st January 2026
★★★★★
