Terror 2012: All In The Mind at the Soho Theatre, 16 Oct-3 Nov
Head to the Soho Theatre Downstairs for theatre company The Sticking Place’s annual season of horror theatre. Disturbing, controversial and thrilling, the four plays on offer are strictly for over-18s only. Writers Robert Farquhar (Kissing Sid James & Gods Official), Alex Jones (Noise and I’m a Minger), Mike McShane (Paul Merton’s Impro Chums, Mon Droit) and Darren Ormandy (Hamburg and Sweetmeat) bring you their spookiest short plays alongside chilling cabaret from award‐winning songstress Sarah‐Louise Young (Cabaret Whore and Fascinating Aida) and Desmond O’Connor (Vive Le Cabaret).
terrorseason.com

Drowning Rock at the Camden People’s Theatre, 16 Oct-4 Nov
This ghostly tale set in a remote lighthouse is inspired by cult author HP Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth. Drowning Rock dwells on the mysterious and dark forces beyond the understanding of humankind. Again, this show isn’t for the faint-hearted: Camden People’s Theatre recommend it for audiences aged 15 and older.
cptheatre.co.uk

The London Horror Festival at the Etcetera Theatre, 15 Oct-7 Nov
For four weeks, the Etcetera Theatre in Camden is being taken over by a broad range of performers bringing the best in horror theatre, comedy, magic and performance art, “from psychological spine-chillers to all-out splatter”, according to their website. Highlights include The Puppetry of Flesh (23-25 Oct); Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario (29-31 Oct) and the One Man Halloween (2-4 Nov).
londonhorrorfestival.com

The Horror! The Horror! at Wilton’s Music Hall, 24 Oct-7 Nov
Presented by Theatre of the Damned and part of The London Horror Festival, The Horror! The Horror! is a promenade performance through the historic cobwebs of Wilton’s Music Hall. It promises a “blood-soaked evening of murder, mayhem and bellowing madness, combining London’s rich history of music hall entertainment, the ancient horrors of HP Lovecraft and a cornucopia of Victorian gothic nightmares”. Sounds excellent.
londonhorrorfestival.com/the-horror-the-horror

The Good Neighbour Halloween Special at BAC, 31 Oct
BAC is presenting an adult-only version of family show The Good Neighbour for Halloween. You can explore the dark and dusty passages of Battersea’s old Town Hall: either fight your way through the cobwebs in search of a lost memory, or take an eerie moonlit tour of the streets of Battersea with the strangest brass band you’ve ever seen. After your journey, join in the Council Chamber-based Halloween party complete with spooky cocktails and DJ.
bac.org.uk/whats-on/good-neighbour-halloween-special

Halloween Fun at the Polka Theatre, 30-31 Oct
With all these adult-only shows, you might be thinking Halloween theatre’s not for kids. However, the ever-brilliant Polka Theatre has a couple of fab workshops for little ones, meaning everyone can get into the Halloween spirit. On 30 October, there’s a Halloween themed make-up session for 7-11 year olds; and on 31 October, you can create Halloween light sculptures, laterns and ghostly shadow puppets in a creepy, craft workshop for 5-7 year olds.
polkatheatre.com/editorial/take-part

Check out more London Halloween spookiness here

Terror Season at the Soho Theatre: 19 Oct-5 Nov
Head down to Soho Downstairs, a new underground comedy and cabaret venue for the Soho Theatre’s annual season of horror theatre. Prepare to be terrified and thrilled by an evening of twisted tales, cabaret and Halloween oddities at this controversial sell-out event. Hosted by Desmond O’Connor and Merrill Grant, look out for special guests Jonny Woo, Dusty Limits, Laura Corcoran from Frisky and Mannish, and Fancy Chance.
www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/terror

Festival of the Dead at the Battersea Arts Centre: 28-29 Oct
The Nabokov Arts Club is taking over Battersea Arts Centre, filling the whole space with two consecutive nights of Halloween madness. Festival of the Dead promises to be an extravaganza of live theatre, music, comedy, dance and visual art, all wrapped up into a big party. Highlights include storytelling and poetry, comic theatre with Bad Physics and the Curious Directive, and an immersive theatrical event by Nabokov, Tangled Feet and award-winning playwright Polly Stenham.
www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/nabokov-arts-club

London Horror Festival at the Courtyard Theatre: 25 Oct-27 Nov
More than just a Halloween theatre show, the London Horror Festival presents five weeks’ of dark and challenging performing arts. As well as the Theatre of the Damned’s Revenge of the Grand Guignol, there’s also a performance by Le Nouveau Guignol, the world’s only permanent repertory horror theatre company.
www.londonhorrorfestival.com

All Hallows at the Fan Museum: 31 Oct-1 Nov
A terrifying new play called All Hallows: A Play About Fear receives its premiere reading at the Fan Museum this Halloween. Five professional actors present a story covering more than 120 years of unexpected and decidedly chilling events. Adult themes mean this show isn’t suitable for young people under 16, or those of a nervous disposition. You have been warned!
thefanmuseum.org.uk/events

The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre: booking until 2012
One of the longest running West End shows ever, The Woman in Black still continues to haunt everyone who sees it. Head to the Fortune Theatre this Halloween to see one of the most exciting, spooky, gripping and successful theatre shows ever staged. The Woman in Black isn’t gory or filled with gruesome horror, but as the drama and tension build, you’ll still find your spine totally chilled by the terrifying, ghostly truths unfolding on stage.
www.thewomaninblack.com

Looking for more tips for enjoying Halloween in London? Check out what’s on elsewhere for Halloween, or read out guide to London’s best Halloween Club Nights…