Benighted

Originally published as a novel in 1927, Benighted was the first real introduction to the world of a then unknown J.B. Priestley. Now the world premiere of its stage production, adapted by Duncan Gates, will be staged at the Old Red Lion this Christmas. Following the success of the 2015 world premiere of Arthur Miller’s No Villain, the Old Red Lion are now renowned for their exciting programming decisions.

In 1932, Benighted was adapted by Universal into a film version called The Old Dark House which, upon its release, broke box office records across the UK and continues to influence modern cinema to this day.

J.B. Priestley is best known for works including An Inspector Calls (returning to the West End this November), Time And The Conways and When We Were Married. In Benighted, the literary seeds of one of Britain’s greatest ever playwrights are beautifully evident in the rich dialogue, unforgettable characters and gripping tension – now fully realised on stage for the first time.

Set in the heart of wildest Wales on a treacherously stormy night where it seems the world itself is going to end, Philip and Margaret Waverton are left with no choice but to abandon their Austin Tourer and seek refuge in an old dark house. Soaked, hungry and exhausted from their ordeal, the Wavertons’ relief at finally being indoors rapidly slips away as it becomes devilishly apparent that their gracious hosts for the evening, the peculiar Femm Family (and indeed the house itself), may be far more frightening than the Welsh mountainside they seek to escape.