Grand Guignol

“‘Horror and comedy combine to outrageous effect in this gory romp. A gleefully silly piece that also says some smart things about creativity – and even about theatre reviewers� Evening Standard
“a delightfully ghoulish evening of demented indulgence!� Time Out
“Toe-curling special effects… simply hilarious� The Stage
“In time for the Halloween holidays, this is one to watch� The Upcoming
“Perfect timing for Halloween… a truly sensational piece of theatre.� LondonTheatre1
“Grose and director Simon Stokes have pitched things perfectly.� Exeunt
“revolting fun� West End Frame
“Absolutely loving “Grand Guignol� at the Southwark Playhouse. Funny and gory – authentic Guignol!� @ReeceShearsmith

1903. Paris, Montmartre and the Theatre du Grand Guignol opens its doors to an unsuspecting public. The plays, rife with madness and murder, are sold out every night to an awestruck public, avid for the horrors that are nightly set before them. But when a psychiatrist, obsessed with the gruesome dramas, ingratiates his way into the company and starts to unpick the author’s mind, the boundaries between theatre and truth begin to blur…

A black comedy, a demented, psychological thriller and an unrepentant splatter-fest, Carl Grose’s play, directed by Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Artistic Director, Simon Stokes; is a head-spinning, genre-bending phantasmagoria, guaranteed to keep you guessing – and wincing – to the very last horror show…

Grand Guignol is causing a stir on social media and in the press, check out the Storify here

This production is recommended for those aged 14+.
Please note that PAYG memberships are not valid for performances from 17 – 22 November.

Creative Team

Assistant Director
Phil Bartlett

Carl Grose’s previous work includes Superstition Mountain (o-region), The 13 Midnight Challenges of Angelus Diablo (RSC/Latitude), Gargantua (National Theatre Connections), Tristan & Yseult, The Wild Bride and Dead Dog In A Suitcase (and other love songs) for Kneehigh Theatre, and Horse Piss for Blood for Theatre Royal Plymouth. Carl has also written for Told By An Idiot, Soho Theatre, Spymonkey, BBC Radio and National Theatre of Wales. He is currently writing new plays for the RSC and the National Theatre.

During his time as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, Simon Stokes directed, amongst many new plays, Manuel Puig’s Kiss of the Spider Woman (with Simon Callow and Mark Rylance) and When I was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout (also West End, with Julie Walters, Geraldine James, Celia Imrie and Dawn French). He then took A Slip of the Tongue (with John Malkovich) to a successful run in the West End. He was Associate Director and Director of Development at Howard Panter’s Turnstyle Group before a freelance career spanning Europe and the U.S. His more recent work includes Tuesdays at Tescos (Assembly Productions), Inside Wagner’s Head (Royal Opera House and Theatre Royal Plymouth) and both with Simon Callow, Horse Piss for Blood by Carl Grose and Chekhov in Hell by Dan Rebellato for Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Jonathan Broadbent
Paul Chequer
Matthew Pearson
Robert Portal
Emily Raymond
Andy Williams