Paranormal Activity - Review

Ambassadors Theatre, London

****

Written by Levi Holloway

Directed by Felix Barrett

Melissa James and Patrick Heusinger

Drawn from the seven-movie Paranormal Activity franchise, this new tale sees James (played by Patrick Heusinger) and Lou (Melissa James) move from Chicago to London in the hope of escaping a presence that has been haunting their lives. 

Within moments of the curtain rising the tone is set and tension is firmly on the menu (with a healthy increased heart rate as a side), followed by a rollercoaster of fear that is best left to be experienced first-hand.  Chris Fisher’s illusions are sensational, delivering scares good enough to garner loud, theatre-wide reactions. As the interval lights came up the audience’s relieved chatter, grateful for the brief respite from the terror, was audible. 

The second act takes advantage of one’s lowered guard, immediately ramping up the tension, rarely letting up till the close of the show, the tight and creative delivery of the effects packing a punch around every turn.

All of this is only possible due to the impressive cast who deliver convincing performances throughout. It took very little time to become convinced and invested in the relationship of the young couple and quickly sympathetic to their struggles

Experiencing Paranormal Activity in a packed theatre amidst the audience’s reactions to the evening’s scares only enhances the experience. Terrifying fun!

Runs until 28th February 2026

Photo credit: Johan Persson

Reviewed by Kishan Lukha