The Haunting, Richmond Theatre

Based on stories by Charles Dickens, The Haunting has all the elements one would expect from a Victorian-era ghost story, writes Nick Rutherford.

The dusty, cobwebbed library in a decaying, isolated mansion; fog, thunder and lightning; atmospheric, eerie music; disembodied voices and 'things that go bump in the night'.

We just know the ghost will make a dramatic appearance at the cliff-hanger, leading into the interval.

And there's nothing wrong with that: it's good, old-fashioned, clichéd fun. There's also a healthy dash of humour.

The plot sees young David Filde (former EastEnder Charlie Clements) going to the home of Lord Gray (Paul Nicholas) to log and subsequently sell the aristocrat's late father's library. While there he encounters ghostly manifestations that Gray claims to know nothing about.

The acting is exemplary. To many Nicholas is known for his light-weight roles in sitcoms such as Just Good Friends in the 80s and as a pop star the decade before. Here he plays a serious old man with much gravitas. Clements drops the East End accent to give an equally believable performance as Filde.

Add to this, the cast and crew create an excellent, spooky atmosphere on stage - there are several 'jumpy' moments, such as when books fly unaided from the shelves.

But at times the pace seriously drags and it is difficult to maintain interest in what is going on and and for this, The Haunting, must be judged a qualified success.

The Haunting runs at Richmond until February 19. To book, visit ambassadortickets.com