Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia spooks the country on tour

The production, directed by Andrew Hall, had a London run last year at the Riverside Studios before becoming a touring production.

The play is the story of the eponymous musical prodigy, who killed herself aged 19. Twelve years the shrine her father built to her appears to have become haunted, and the truth about her murky demise unfolds.

In the cast are Duncan Preston (Joe), Richard O’Callaghan (Ken), Joe McFadden (Andy), and Louise Kempton.

It is directed by Andrew Hall, with design by John Brooking, lighting by Matthew Eagland and sound by Tom Hackley. It is produced by Hall & Childs Ltd and Paul Tyrer and Jamie Clark for the Booking Office Ltd in association with the Colchester Mercury Theatre.

Preston’s credits include Acorn Antiques and Dinner Ladies. Richard O’Callaghan has appeared at the RSC, National, Open Air Theatre Regents Park and Chichester. Joe McFadden’s credits include Heartbeat and Torch Song Trilogy. Andrew Hall’s directing credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?and Alan Ayckbourn’s Table Manners– Norman Conquests.

Haunting Julia runs at the Mercury Theatre Colchester until 8 September, and then tours until 8 December, visiting venues including the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, King’s Theatre in Edinburgh, Theatre Royal, Brighton and Southend Palace Theatre.