Uncanny: Fear of the Dark AT THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH

An evening of thrills, chills and brilliant minds! A fantastic Pre-Halloween treat!

I’m reviewing something a little different, a live show hosted by Danny Robins, inspired by the hit BBC podcast and television series Uncanny. For those unfamiliar, the series follows the paranormal-obsessed Robins as he investigates eerie tales of ghosts, UFOs, mysterious creatures and other unexplained phenomena sent in by members of the public. Robins invites these storytellers to share their encounters, then presents their accounts to two expert panels, Team Sceptic and Team Believer, who debate what might have truly happened. Was it something supernatural, or can science and logic provide a more rational explanation?

The show was a complete sell out and it was fantastic to see the auditorium packed and buzzing with excitement full of Uncanny superfans, myself included. Stepping inside, I was immediately impressed by the set design. The stage featured shelves on either side lined with televisions flickering with static and the Uncanny logo, creating a perfectly eerie vibe. Scattered around were props referencing memorable episodes from the podcast like a Ouija Board, a baby monitor and a Fisher-Price telephone, a clever nod for devoted fans to spot. Above the shelves hung three large screens, used throughout the evening to display images and play video clips. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going in, I imagined it might be more of a straightforward live podcast recording with just a few chairs and microphones. So I was pleasantly surprised to see how much thought had gone into making it feel theatrical and immersive, rather than just a simple discussion on stage.

The moment Danny Robins stepped onto the stage, he was greeted with rapturous applause. He immediately set a warm, engaging tone for the evening, opening with a few light-hearted jokes to ease any lingering nerves about what spooky moments might lie ahead. Robins then revealed that the night would feature six brand-new paranormal cases. I won’t spoil the details here, as I believe the audience should experience the surprises for themselves if you are planning to see the show, but rest assured, they do not disappoint!

As Danny reads each case, the stories are brought vividly to life through images projected on the screens and occasional video interviews with the individuals who originally submitted their experiences. When each tale reaches its most chilling moments, the back of the stage jumps into action with puppetry, props and sudden bursts of sound to recreate the scares in dramatic fashion. The eerie reenactments were reminiscent of Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s play Ghost Stories, where each terrifying climax is punctuated by a haunting puppet and a perfectly timed jump scare. These jump moments not only heighten the tension but also transform the evening into something far more theatrical than a simple podcast recording.

Credit: Instagram - dannyrobinswithoneb

After each case, the show’s experts were welcomed onto the stage to share their thoughts, each once again greeted with enthusiastic applause from devoted fans. Representing Team Sceptic was Ciaran O’Keeffe, who holds a degree in psychology and a PhD in parapsychology. Known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense approach, Ciaran often playfully teases Team Believer with his grounded, scientific explanations. Balancing him on the other side was Evelyn Hollow, a paranormal psychologist and author, whose own quick humour and thoughtful insights makes her the perfect counterpart. Throughout the evening, it was fascinating to listen to them both. Their discussions, as always, were intelligent, balanced and full of mutual respect, each approaching the cases with sensitivity and genuine curiosity. Their analyses were so articulate and convincing that I found myself unable to fully side with either belief system, both arguments felt equally compelling due to their incredible intellect. What I particularly appreciate about Uncanny is how every story is treated with care. No one is ever made to feel foolish for their experiences and the debate between sceptics and believers is always handled respectfully. As Danny beautifully put it, “It’s a wonderful thing that we can be an audience divided by belief, yet no one attacks the other. We listen, we share and no one gets angry or cancelled.”

My only minor criticism of the evening comes in Act One, where the storytelling and investigations paused for an audience Q&A session. Microphones were passed around the auditorium for people to ask their own questions, but this section unfortunately disrupted the show’s otherwise strong pacing. It took some time for the microphones to reach audience members and many of the questions ended up feeling slightly off-topic, likely because there was no specific theme or guidance provided. As a result, I felt that the questions being asked felt more suited to a one-on-one meet and greet rather than to a large theatre audience. However, this was redeemed in Act Two, when a large QR code appeared on the stage during the interval, inviting the audience to submit their own paranormal experiences for possible inclusion in the second half. This worked far better. The chosen stories were read aloud and the segment ran much more smoothly, microphones were passed quickly and the tales shared were genuinely fascinating, emotional and actually quite frightening. It felt far more structured and engaging and I found myself wishing the show had used this format in both acts rather than relying on the more unstructured Q&A portion earlier on.

The Act Two sharing segment served as a powerful reminder that, whether you’re a believer or a sceptic, you’re never far from someone with a strange or unexplained story to tell. It raises an intriguing question: are there really that many people fabricating these experiences, or are there simply more encounters out there than we’re willing to believe?

Ultimately, whether you’re a dedicated Uncanny fan or simply fascinated by the paranormal, this show makes for an excellent night out, a perfect mix of intelligent discussion, humour and the occasional fright. If Uncanny tours again in the future, I’ll be first in line for tickets. Judging by how quickly this run sold out though, it’s only going to get harder to snag a seat as the show’s popularity continues to grow. Believer or sceptic, I highly recommend experiencing Uncanny on stage, on TV or through the podcast. You won’t be disappointed… just remember, as Danny would say, don’t have nightmares!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

SEAT REVIEW

Location : Circle, Seat AA4

This seat offers fantastic legroom and the placards in front suggest it’s where the Theatre’s CEO usually sits. The view is excellent, it almost feels like you’re part of the action on stage. The only minor drawback is that the seat is slightly to the left side of the auditorium. It wasn’t an issue for this particular production, but in larger-scale musicals, you might catch a glimpse into the wings.