A new ghost story adaptation will be coming to Lyme Regis this month. 

The production of The Watch House, based on Robert Westall's novel, will be staged at the Marine Theatre on Tuesday, October 30.

Directed by George Turvey, the show will feature actors Donald McBride, Catherine Dryden, and Aoife Kennan.

The Watch House tells the story of an old, abandoned coastguard station, once famous for daring rescues.

The play’s central character, Anne, is alone in an old watch house while her parents sort out their divorce.

As she navigates her solitude, she uncovers a secret from the past that threatens everything, and only she can stop it.

This sets the stage for an adventure through graveyards, discos, and shipwrecks, as Anne and her unconventional team must uncover the truth before it's too late.

Papatango, known for its Olivier Award-winning productions, presents this adaptation, promising a blend of humour and thrill in Westall's classic ghost story.

The play premiered in Westall’s home region of North Tyneside in December 2023, with a successful run at Laurels.

This production was made possible with help from Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, an iconic heritage centre and setting for the story.

The centre holds a significant place in the UK’s maritime history as the forerunner of today’s Coastguard.

The production will be touring across 12 venues, starting at Alnwick Playhouse on October 24, and will travel to various locations including Poole, Dorchester, Swanage, Lyme Regis, Plymouth, Exeter, Leeds, Marsden, Hexham, Middlesbrough, and will conclude its run at Cullercoats Watch House on November 16.

The final performance at Cullercoats Watch House will be a special staged reading to raise funds for the Grade II listed life brigade lookout.

This community hub is part of the local Tyneside maritime network that inspired Westall's novel.

The play is set to resonate with audiences across the UK, covering coastal towns and territories.

The cast members have impressive resumés, with Donald McBride having theatre credits that range from A Nightingale Sang in Eldon Square to works for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Aoife Kennan, who plays Anne, has film and television credits including Blue Jean, Vera, The Dumping Ground, and Victoria.

Catherine Dryden, who takes on multiple roles, has theatre credits that include The Pitmen Painters and The Play That Goes Wrong and has also appeared in Vera and Traces.

The Watch House is set to bring a captivating blend of past secrets, thrilling adventures, and a touch of the supernatural to Lyme Regis.