A spooky story with Hip Hop

This year the spooky season spills into November as Stanley Arts’ Days of the Dead Festival takes place next week. On the festival programme there is a new immersive theatre production called Selecting a Ghost, which transforms the Georgian Grade II listed venue into a haunted medieval mansion.

Based on the short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, who once lived and worked in South Norwood, the production is an eerie but witty tale of a couple who have bought all the trappings of nobility for their new mansion and are only missing one thing: a ghost. Created by theatre company Two Line Productions, Selecting a Ghost combines classical theatre with contemporary dance and audience interaction, featuring award-winning local Hip Hop company BirdGang Ltd.

Quirky enough for you? We catch up with director of Two Line Productions, Phil Cheadle to find out more.

Croydonist: What can audience members expect from ‘Selecting a Ghost’?

Phil: Selecting a Ghost is a delightful gem of a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle. This stage production offers a rare opportunity to see one of his lesser-known works brought to life. Our collaboration with hip hop dance group BirdGang blends classic literature with contemporary dance, creating a unique experience. The story is witty, unsettling, and thought-provoking, making it a captivating blend of humour and intrigue.

Croydonist: Tell us how the pairing of the building and the story came about?

Phil: The idea for this production stemmed from a desire to celebrate Stanley Arts and its significance within the local community. Selecting a Ghost was the perfect story to achieve that. The central characters, Silas and Matilda Dodds, purchase a medieval mansion, and in this production, Stanley Arts becomes that mansion – Goresthorpe Grange. As Silas and Matilda guide the audience through Goresthorpe Grange, we explore parts of the building that are rarely seen. With Arthur Conan Doyle having lived in Norwood between 1891 and 1894, and by collaborating with Stanley Arts’ resident artists, BirdGang Ltd, we are creating a show deeply rooted in the Norwood community.

Croydonist: We don’t usually think about ghost stories going hand in hand with hip hop – how did BirdGang become involved, and have you worked together before?

Phil: No, Kendra and I hadn’t worked together before. I approached Kendra when I first conceived the idea of adapting Selecting a Ghost. The most challenging part of the adaptation was figuring out how to present the ghosts on stage. BirdGang’s work has an otherworldly quality, so it felt natural to ask them to collaborate and bring the ghosts to life. Kendra’s approach is so playful, and from the moment I first reached out, she embraced the project wholeheartedly. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with her.

Croydonist: What’s been the most challenging part of the production so far?

Phil: The most challenging aspect has been fitting the show within the unique space of Stanley Arts. It’s a wonderfully quirky building, with its labyrinth of corridors and rooms, but it doesn’t naturally lend itself to creating a site-specific show. However, we’ve found a brilliant way to embrace its quirks, and now I believe we’ve discovered how to celebrate its unique design through the production.

Croydonist: What are you most looking forward to about the production?

Phil: I’m most excited to see how the audience feels when they’re invited to participate in the ghost-selecting ceremony. With original music by Harry Miller and Kendra’s choreography, I believe the finale will be an exhilarating experience for everyone involved.