Our production of Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama Ghosts is on stage at the EAT from 7^th-14^th February 2026.

Our fantastic cast, which features some faces that will be familiar to EAT regulars alongside talented newcomers, have taken the time to share their thoughts on this play which was considered so controversial when first published that theatres refused to stage it and bookshops refused to stock it. Luckily, we are not as easily offended as 19^th Century audiences and this modern adaptation of Ibsen’s masterpiece has themes that will definitely resonate with all of us.

Read on to find out more about our production from the people who know it best, our cast!

How would you describe Ghosts to somebody who doesn’t know the play?

Richard Self: Ghosts is a great family drama about the darkness and skeletons that can come tumbling out the cupboard.

Callum Lyons: It’s a very tragic yet engaging play. It explores themes like the importance of family, the burden of inheritance and, the theme that really speaks to me, happiness vs social expectations. It will definitely send you home thinking!

Stephanie Baah: It’s riveting, exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are really relatable. I love the irony and tension inside this play with little side glances and silences that make you wonder what people are thinking, what they are plotting …

Tell us a bit about your character.

Alaric Vaughan: Jacob Engstrand whilst a relatively minor role, who could be written off as something of a reprobate, is devious and not to be underestimated.  He is very much a catalyst who manipulates the plot to his own advantage by exploiting some inconvenient truths about other characters. 

Stephanie: I play Regina, she’s quite manipulative, ambitious and strong-willed . She knows what she wants and nothing will stop her from getting it.

Callum: I play Oswald, Helen’s son who has just come home from Paris in the wake of his father’s death. He is a free loving painter who lives for “the joy being alive”. Initially, he seems to be happy to be home for the first time in years. But as the play progresses, it becomes clear that something is haunting him as well, and the “Joy of being alive” seems to slip from his grasp.

Richard: I play Pastor Manders who has taken the reins of managing the family’s estate, and has a few secrets of his own …

Suzannah Churchill: Helene? I wouldn’t know where to start! (Ed: Ibsen has written some wonderfully complex female characters and Helene Alving is no exception!)

And why should people book a ticket to see Ghosts?

Callum: Ghosts is a fantastic play that has had a lot of love and thought put into it from Martin and the rest of the cast. It will definitely leave an impact and will have you talking about its various themes and possible character motives for a while.

Alaric: It’s a superb exposition of human nature conflicted by desire, idealism and social constraint. The characters are complex, multi layered and authentic, and the chemistry between them is devastatingly natural.

Stephanie: It’s riveting and exciting but also very short and sweet (Ed; Under two hours including interval!). It keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are really relatable and complex. I personally love the irony and tension inside this play with little side glances and silences that make you wonder what are people thinking, what are they plotting …

Ghosts runs from 7th-14th February (no performance Sunday). Book tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk/edwardalderton