The Haunting of Spook Mansion (By Ghosts) is a spooky romp that’s genuinely funny, emotionally sharp, and staged with such flair that you leave the theatre feeling as though you’ve been personally toyed with by poltergeists… in the best possible way.
Michael Ward’s script crackles with wit while carrying a surprisingly potent emotional undercurrent. Ward weaves gags, ghost lore, and psychological tension into a story that never lets its audience settle. It’s a delicious balancing act: one moment you’re laughing at a perfectly lobbed line, the next you’re holding your breath as the darkness in the corners of the stage seems to pulse closer.
Director Russell Fletcher knows exactly when to lean into the comedy and when to pull the rug out from beneath the audience. His pacing is well-times: tight when needed, lingering just long enough on the unease. Fletcher’s staging feels playful yet razor-sharp, as though he’s in on some grand cosmic joke with the performers.
At the centre of the story is Peter Houghton as Professor Adrian Chambers, a washed-up paranormal investigator whose scepticism is matched only by his desperation. Houghton gives a terrific performance – wry, tightly coiled, and layered with the kind of vulnerability that sneaks up on you.
As Chambers confronts both spectral phenomena and the ghosts of his own history, Houghton leads us expertly through his unravelling, never losing the humanity beneath the humour.
Emily Taheny brings warmth and spirited energy to Beth Jackson, grounding the supernatural chaos with emotional clarity and superb comedic timing. Meanwhile, Ben Russell’s Flugel practically steals scenes with an anarchic charm that feels both chaotic and precisely measured. Together, the trio forms a dynamic ensemble that carries the production’s shifting tones with ease.
Technically, Spook Mansion is a feast. Sarah Tulloch’s set and costumes evoke a haunted house aesthetic that’s equal parts Gothic and cheekily meta, making the stage feel alive with spectral surprises.
Jason Bovaird’s playful lighting design is brilliant, sculpting fear and humour alike through shadowplay, sudden flashes, and eerie glows. Steven Gates’ sound design – equal parts atmospheric dread and mischievous audio sleight-of-hand – elevates the haunting from theatrical gimmick to an immersive experience.
The Haunting of Spook Mansion (By Ghosts) is a clever and deliciously spook production that proves laughter and terror make wonderfully compatible bedfellows.
The Haunting of Spook Mansion (By Ghosts)
The Loft – Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Performance: Thursday 13 November 2025
Season continues to 23 November 2025
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For more information, visit: www.spookmansion.com for details.
Images: Peter Houghton – photo by Darren Gill | Emily Taheny, Ben Russell and Peter Houghton – photo by Darren Gill