Peaceful

★★★★ Fringe Guru  ★★★★ Three Weeks  ★★★★ Views from the Gods ★★★★ One Stop Arts  ★★★★ Broadway Baby  ★★★★ Everything Theatre ★★★★ The Good Review ★★★★ The Public Reviews

Written by POLIS LOIZOU

Starring LAURA LOUISE BAKER, JAACQ HUGO & POLIS LOIZOU

Design by ELEANOR FIELD 

Sound by strawMan


Based on the real-life tale of Sarah Winchester, the woman responsible for San Jose’s infamous Winchester Mystery HousePeaceful stars Laura Louise Baker as Ethel Charles, an old woman living alone in a labyrinthine mansion, hiding from ghosts she believes to be hunting for her. One evening, she invites her contractor Mr Coburn (Polis Loizou) to a séance in her home, held by exotic medium Mr De Villiers (Jaacq Hugo). It seems Ethel wishes to make peace with the dead before she joins them.


But what is it that Ethel has spent a lifetime hiding from inside her rambling house? Will she overcome her fear, or are Coburn and De Villiers using it to their own advantage?


"A swift and meticulously planned masterclass in stage horror."

– Views from the Gods


Peaceful appeared at the Edinburgh, Camden, Preston, Buxton and London Horror festivals. In 2015 it had a completely sell-out run in Buxton, where it had previously been given an extra date (in 2013) due to popular demand.

Special thanks to Bordello Theatre and Bluestreak Arts for their support in 2012.

Laura Louise Baker and Polis Loizou; photo by Edward Moore (@edshots)
Laura Louise Baker; photo by Edward Moore (@edshots)
L-R: Jaacq Hugo, Laura Louise Baker & Polis Loizou; photo by Edward Moore (@edshots)

"Thrillingly tense and well acted."

– British Theatre Guide


"A play that could haunt you for a long time."

– The Public Reviews


"Had me looking away in terror."

– The Good Review


"Shows just why ghost stories work so well on the stage."

– Manchester Theatre Awards


"Chilling... A must-see."

– Three Weeks