IT’S STRICTLY THEATRE, JOE
THE thrilling work of multimillion selling author Peter James will return to theatres this month with the world premiere production of the spine-chilling stage play The House on Cold Hill.
Adapted from his best-selling 2015 novel and based on the author’s own real-life experience in a haunted house, the play will star BAFTA nominated actor and winner of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing 2017, Joe McFadden as ‘Ollie Harcourt.’
Joining him as his wife ‘Caro Harcourt,’ will be award-winning actress and I’m A Celebrity contestant Rita Simons, (who played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders), as well as Charlie Clements (‘Bradley’ in the same BBC soap) as ‘Chris,’ and Persephone Swales-Dawson (villainess ‘Nico Blake’ in Hollyoaks) as ‘Jade,’ making her professional stage debut.
In Peter’s ghostly mystery, the Harcourt family - Ollie, Caro and daughter Jade – move into the house of the dreams that has been empty for the last forty years. However, their dream home quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares, as they begin to sense that they aren’t the only residents at Cold Hill.
The House on Cold Hill is a modern-day ghostly thriller that will send shivers down your spine and make you think twice about returning home to a dark, empty house after the show!
Rita Simons is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in BBC’s EastEnders, and is one of Britain’s best-loved TV actresses.
She said: “I am really thrilled to be starring in the House on Cold Hill along side such great actors as Joe, Charlie, Persephone and the rest the cast.
“I could not put it down when I first read the script – it’s a brilliant and modern day supernatural thriller that had me totally gripped and occasionally jumping out of my seat!
“I can’t wait to see audiences hopefully have the same reaction to it, in theatres around the UK.”
BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden is perhaps best known for playing series regular ‘Raf di Lucca in BBC One’s Holby City from 2014 until 2017, and as PC Joe Mason in Heartbeat from 2010 until 2014.
Last year he partnered with Katya Jones in BBC1’s Strictly Come Danc- ingand captured the nations hearts, eventually winning the series to become the 2017 Strictly Champion.
Joe said: “It’s a real honour to be entrusted with the character of Ollie and the words of skilled wordsmith, Peter James.
“He’s created a story that is both chilling and an interesting portrayal of modern family life and will definitely make you think twice about buying that sprawling dream pad in the country!”
Charlie Clements starred in EastEnders from 2006 until 2010, winning several awards for his performance as ‘Bradley Manning.’
Since leaving the soap, stage and screen credits include the UK tour of The Haunting, Faith at the Courtyard Theatre, and roles in Casualty and The Bill.
Persephone Swales-Dawson played serial killer ‘Nico Blake’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks from 2014 until 2016, and returned in 2018. She won Best Bad Girl at the Inside Soap Awards in 2016.
The House on Cold Hill marks her professional stage debut.