Eek! I have to admit there were a couple of times during Horror when I had my hands over my eyes – but then I am a complete wuss about being frightened and rarely see horror movies. I was intrigued, however, by the idea of putting the horror genre on stage – and while I can’t imagine many people being truly scared by Horror with the many, incredibly familiar tropes that it uses, it’s extremely well staged.

Devised, directed and designed (with Douwe Hibma) by Swedish-born Jakop Ahlbom, Horror premiered in 2014 and has since toured. It is presented here by Sydney Opera House, and tours to several other venues including a season at Brisbane Festival.

Horror. Photographs © Prudence Upton

It begins on a stormy night (of course). A young woman and two male friends arrive at the deserted, crumbling home where she grew up, set in the middle of the woods. The three are wearing bright red capes – a sign of things to come. It’s clear from the beginning all is not well, with the lights going out, shadows on the wall, and a television turning itself on. Not to mention the handy...