Dark Dukes: Halloween Theatre at The Dukes

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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Dark Dukes: Halloween Theatre

The Dukes, Lancaster
25-31 October 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Dark Dukes: Halloween Theatre at The Dukes
Image courtesy of Chris Nash.
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Head to The Dukes, Lancaster for all things horror this October. Creeping out – just in time for Halloween – Dark Dukes is a week-long festival packed with screenings of all your favourite horror films, live performance and workshops.

Aside from an unmissable programme of contemporary and classic spine-tingling film (do cast your eyes over our full Dark Dukes cinema round-up), The Dukes will present two unique performances: Lore, by the award-winning James Wilton Dance and Nocturnes, an evening of original spine-chilling storytelling with live music. Additionally, the 1962 psychological horror, Carnival of Souls has been uniquely adapted into an eerie audio play.

Dark Dukes: Carnival of Souls
Carnival of Souls (1962). Image courtesy of Criterion.

Step into a darkened cinema on Friday 27 October for an audio-only experience of Carnival of Souls. Supernatural and claustrophobic, inspired by classic adventure radio serials and sensory deprivation methods, this is a stripped-back version of the creepy classic – let your imagination take over.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 28 October, Nocturnes will take over The Dukes’ stage. Writer and theatre-maker Adam Z Robinson will present two original ghost stories, set to a ghostly live score by music collective Jilk.

On 31 October, the award-winning company James Wilton Dance bring Lore, a thrilling dance show inspired by ancient folklore and Celtic mythology. Expect an atmospheric and athletic performance set to Michal Wojtas’ remarkable soundtrack, which draws influence from Viking, Celtic and Slavic folk music. Intimate and hypnotic, Halloween theatre-goers will experience a Pagan world of gods, demons and humans – performed beautifully, with otherworldly grace, by the James Wilton Dance Company.

Lore at The Dukes, Lancaster
Lore by James Wilton Dance (2022). Image courtesy of James Wilton Dance.

Bringing a bone-chilling bonanza of everything we love about spooky season, this specially curated festival ticks all the boxes. Check out the full programme and get your Halloween horror fix at The Dukes.

Dark Dukes at The Dukes
Dark Dukes at The Dukes

Accessibility

  • Audio Described

Where to go near Dark Dukes: Halloween Theatre at The Dukes

Lancashire
Restaurant
The Herbarium

This plant-based cafe and bar serves delicious vegan breakfasts and coffees in the day, before transforming into a fantastic dinner venue in ‘Herb after Dark’.

The Grand Theatre in Lancaster
Lancaster
Theatre
The Grand Theatre, Lancaster

First opened in 1782, the theatre is now host to amateur drama, music and dance and professional touring companies. Tours of the historic building are available

Lancashire
Bar or Pub
The Stonewell Tap

The Stonewell Tap is a lively craft beer bar on Church Street, Lancaster, which boasts 16 craft beer taps and 4 real hand-pulled ale pumps.

Judge’s Lodgings, Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster
Museum
Judges’ Lodgings

The Judges’ Lodgings is the oldest town house in Lancaster, whose exhibitions and events bring the stories of the city to life.

Lancaster
Bar or Pub
Aquila Pizza

You can order online or over the phone to get your pizza fix. With regular deals on multiple pizzas and breads available for delivery and collection across Lancaster and Morecambe mid-week and weekends then keep your eyes on Aquila’s website and social channels.

The Music Room from Atkinsons Coffee Roasters Lancaster
Lancaster
Café or Coffee Shop
The Music Room

The Music Room from Atkinsons Coffee Roasters is a cafe situated on a Grade II listed Georgian pavilion with sun trap outside seating.

Lancaster
Library
Lancaster Library

Sitting in the heart of Lancaster is the Lancaster Library. When not serving its usual function, this beautiful space is occasionally transformed into an unlikely gig venue.

Lancaster Castle Lancashire
Lancaster
Tourist Attraction
Lancaster Castle

Lancaster Castle’s origins date back almost 1,000 years. This Grade 1 Listed Building occupies a city-centre hilltop location on the site of three successive Roman forts.

Lancaster
Event venue
The Storey Creative Industries Centre

Multi-purpose venue comprising an auditorium and lecture theatre, gallery space, café bar, Visitor Information Centre, hireable meeting rooms and conference/events spaces and private offices.

Castle View contemporary cottage, Lancaster
Lancaster
Hotel
Castle View

Right in the heart of Lancaster, this contemporary cottage with one bedroom and a double sofa bed, a huge copper bath and a wood burner is situated in a peaceful walled oasis.

An interior shot of the arches within Lancaster Priory
Lancaster Priory

Lancaster Priory Church is a vibrant, open and inclusive church at the heart of Lancaster. Music, education and community are at the heart of their mission.

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A host of Halloween horrors, experimental shorts, plus pioneering black British cinema make our October Cinema Guide.

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