Actor Q&A: Peter Duncan

Summer is over. For us living on the coast, autumn brings howling winds, thunderstorms and sea mists – perfect cover when something sinister is trying to creep into Blackpool. Starring Olivier-nominated actor and former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan, When Darkness Falls comes to The Grand Theatre on the 15th of September. 

Set on the small island of Guernsey the play focuses on a young paranormal expert (Daniel Rainford) who joins a sceptical history teacher (Peter Duncan) to record the first in a series of podcasts based on the island’s folklore and paranormal history. As the expert regales his horrifying stories, the teacher learns that we all have our own truth. Our own story. Ghosts that haunt us.

Based on true stories, anyone coming to see this chilling production will almost certainly feel grateful that Blackpool now leaves its lights on until January. Ahead of the opening show Peter Duncan gave Blackpool Social Club the opportunity to ask how he’s taken to horror acting and if he has ever heard any bumps in the night himself. 

It’s great to see Blackpool Grand Theatre back in full swing! Are you looking forward to getting in front of a live audience again?

I certainly am, although I’ve been busy, but it will be a thrill to be back on stage again.

Throughout lockdown you made theatre accessible by creating a pantomime that could be streamed online. Did families benefit by engaging with theatre from home in the pandemic?

Jack and the Beanstalk & Cinderella did get a cinema release as well as streaming to schools and families. Our third online panto ‘Pantoland’ will be released in early December 2022 and you can stream the ‘Ones I Made Earlier’ now. See: pantoonline.co.uk

You’ve had a really dynamic career so far, from Blue Peter presenter to horror actor! How did you come to be involved in this production of When Darkness Falls and have the production’s themes been a stark contrast to other work you’ve been involved in?

I went for an audition a few months ago and the director, unbeknown to me, had my previous work in a musical about Charlie Chaplin called the Little Tramp so I think that helped get me the role. I’ve done a lot of theatre work over the decades I’ve been active but never a ghost story apart from a tour of Corpse, which was directed by Robin Hereford who is still the one and only director of the long running theatre ghost story Women in Black

When Darkness Falls is set in Guernsey. Do you believe that small island life lends itself well to tales of the paranormal? Are there any aspects that correlate to our coastal town of Blackpool?

I do and I had an experience many years ago when I was sailing back from the Island of Sark close to Guernsey . We lost power and drifted unseen in the English channel all night. Spooky like Blackpool Tower when you stand on the see-through glass and look down into the abyss below.

Some of the tales within the play are inspired by true events, do you have any personal experiences that will give us the spooks?

When I played Jesus in the Mystery Plays cycle, I came off stage (after being crucified and resurrected) and was overwhelmed with a sense of euphoria. It was as though an angel had taken my soul over. Complete peace and a sense that the universe is unfolding as it should. I was in a timeless place and understood everything about existence . An incomprehensible experience (after the event). I’ve never really understood what happened and I await the next visit.

When Darkness Falls is at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 September Get tickets here: https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/when-darkness-falls