This February, award-winning veteran actor Jack Shepherd will be “The Signalman” in The Signalman by Charles Dickens and “Professor Parkins” in M.R. James’s Oh Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad. Joining him in Middle Ground Theatre Company’s ghostly double-bill will be Terrence Hardiman (The Demon Headmaster/Cadfael), Dicken Ashworth (Coronation Street/Emmerdale) and a full supporting cast. Directed by Michael Lunney, CLASSIC GHOSTS will run from Tuesday 24^th to Saturday 28^th February the New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion Theatre.

Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad

By M.R.James

Adapted by Margaret May Hobbs

M.R. James was a master teller of the creepy ghost story. This is the story of Professor Parkins, a Cambridge academic on an out-of-season holiday at a bleak English east coast hotel in 1907. At an old graveyard near a deserted beach he finds an old bone whistle. On cleaning it, he discovers the inscription: Quis est iste qui venit (“Who is this who is coming?”). Blowing the whistle he awakens a disturbing supernatural force. A terrifying ordeal follows and though his scepticism tries to dismiss his unearthly encounters, his eyes and ears cannot …

The Signalman

By Charles Dickens

Adapted by Francis Evelyn

Set in 1880, this is Dickens’ exquisitely unnerving tale of a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. Can a well meaning traveller, who chances upon the lonely signal box while out walking, calm the man’s fears before he spirals into self destruction?

Jack Shepherd has a long and distinguished career in film, television and on stage. His awards include a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award, a Plays and Players London Critics’ Award, and a Time Out Award. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe in the television series Wycliffe. Other television roles include Waking The Dead, The Other Boleyn Girl and Silent Witness.

Classic Ghosts is on at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion from Tuesday 24^th to Saturday 28^th February. There is two matinees, Wednesday 25^th and Saturday 28^th, both at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced at £23 with concessions available at £21 and £17 for the Wednesday matinee.