iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

This summer, shooting commenced on QUASIMODO'S KEEPER - my one-man exploration of Claude Frollo, Archdeacon of Victor Hugo's NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS. He's one of the ultimate human monsters - the archetypal incel? - and I honestly don't think I've played anyone more horrendous. Fascinating stuff.

A portrait of James Swanton as Claude Frollo. He is wearing a black cloak and a purple tunic emblazoned with a gold cross, and he sits in the corner of a medieval church.

0164

Reposted by James Swanton

Stephen Graves @stephengraves.co.uk · 09/09/2026

Amazing production – what @jamescswanton.bsky.social did with a couple of lights and a shadow in the climax was extraordinary. Also very much enjoyed the Blitz spirit as it gradually dawned on the audience and performers that the show was going to overrun massively. 😅

192

Reposted by James Swanton

Jason Heeley @jaseheeley.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Just booked tickets to see Mr. @jamescswanton.bsky.social do a thing in York in November. Last year's performances were sublime and in a wonderful setting. I'm not overly familiar with THE HAUNTED MAN beyond its story outline, so I'm doubly excited. www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/charles...

yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

York Theatre Royal

183

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Many happy returns to the great @annodracula.bsky.social! Count Orlok and I hugely enjoyed his traditional birthday bash.

A view of Kim Newman's office, featuring Kim, James Swanton and a watchful framed picture of Count Orlok.

0394

Reposted by James Swanton

Daniel McGachey @daniel-mcgachey.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Nice to bump into @jamescswanton.bsky.social at York Theatre Royal this afternoon. The only previous time I saw him in person he turned into a monster from outer space... And rather brilliantly too.

151

Reposted by James Swanton

Claire T @ctallers.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

The First Omen rocked. Well done @jamescswanton.bsky.social - you messed me up!

161

Reposted by James Swanton

All In The Telling - The Ghost Story Network @allinthetelling.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Our lantern light falls on the extraordinary @jamescswanton.bsky.social - a masterful actor who has brought chilling life to phantoms & monsters on the big & small screen. James also performs the ghost stories of #CharlesDickens - an essential event for all storytelling fans. www.jamesswanton.com

0113

Reposted by James Swanton

Beanwriting @beanwriting.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Well, you know you’re on for a real treat when you see @jamescswanton.bsky.social ‘s name in the opening credits (The Severed Sun — wonderfully refreshing horror— check it out, it’s my head-canon now as to what Thomasin did after the events of The Witch (2015).

Tv showing the credits opening : James Swanton as The Beast in red text on a black background card.

141

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Where do you go to find authoritative pronunciations for alchemical terms? Nigredo, albedo, citrinitas (especially) and rubedo, etc. All I'm finding online are videos created by pseuds (or, indeed, robots) that I don't exactly trust.

121

Reposted by James Swanton

The Film Canary @thefilmcanary.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Ooh, a lede buried there; @jamescswanton.bsky.social in a @bigfinish.bsky.social at last! Hurrah!

041

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

My interview for the Dickens Museum's SHOWTIME! exhibition is now available online. They projected it on a wall for six months, meaning I was too frightened to watch! Includes ramblings on David Lean's seminal OLIVER TWIST (1948), Simon Callow, Alastair Sim, Gonzo, etc.

youtu.be

Showtime! - Adapting and Acting in Charles Dickens's Stories | Charles Dickens Museum

YouTube video by Charles Dickens Museum

0122

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

This pleased me immensely: in a recent mini-doc on York's legendary panto, you can clearly see a copy of @jimmymcdonough.bsky.social's THE GHASTLY ONE on display in Berwick Kaler's home office. Check the bottom shelf, on the far right...

A home office lined with posters for pantos past. There are also two bookshelves, one of which displays a copy of THE GHASTLY ONE.

230

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

I gave 62 one-man Dickens plays in the run-up to Christmas, as well as being interviewed by The New York Times. Common sense dictates I should get some rest, but what I'd really like is another job. Ah - who'd be an actor?

A sheet of newsprint, including an article with the title '"A Christmas Carol" Read Aloud With Dickensian Intensity'.

Alice Zoo's New York Times portrait of James Swanton, sitting on a wooden chair in Victorian attire, bereft of shoes and socks.

1161

Reposted by James Swanton

Andy Murray @mrgeetsromo.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

On BBC 4 Extra at 4pm: a repeat of @tobyhadoke.bsky.social’s estimable and effective 2018 radio adaptation of The Road. Genuinely not to be missed if you’re a Nigel Kneale fan. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - The Road by Nigel Kneale

The legendary 1963 lost TV play. Adapted by Toby Hadoke.

19846

Reposted by James Swanton

HODAG RPG @hodagrpg.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Watching...Marveling, really at @jamescswanton.bsky.social 's INCREDIBLE performance as Ransley in The Haunted Season: To Fire Come At Last! Holy macaroni, US folks run, don't walk over to Shudder to check it out!

032

Reposted by James Swanton

Anton Bitel @antbit.projectedfigures.com · 04/12/2025

"confronts a modern-day Scrooge with how the other half lives... and dies": @stephengraves.co.uk's short ghost story THE DEAD OF WINTER (2023) is now on ShortsTV and Prime Video, screening as part of the "Christmas Stories" compilation. projectedfigures.com/2023/10/18/t...

projectedfigures.com

The Dead of Winter (2023) - Projected Figures

Stephen Graves' short Christmas ghost story THE DEAD OF WINTER confronts a modern-day Scrooge with how the other half lives... and dies

043

Reposted by James Swanton

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Five stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) for my CAROL here: 'While there will undoubtedly be many versions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to choose from this festive season, on screen and stage, this is one helluva performance not to be missed.' Virtually sold out in London, but SIGNAL-MAN and HAUNTED MAN tickets remain!

thereviewshub.com

A Christmas Carol – The Charles Dickens Museum, London - The Reviews Hub

Writer: Charles Dickens Have we ever lived in more Dickensian times? With shameful levels of child poverty, homelessness, and hunger, it’s shocking to think that almost two centuries later, these iss...

1143

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Selfies taken before shows 19 (THE HAUNTED MAN) and 20 (A CHRISTMAS CAROL). 42 left! We're sold out in York, but we've some London availability coming up. The two CAROLs on 2nd December are the only ones with any spaces left; also room for THE HAUNTED MAN and THE SIGNAL-MAN (3rd and 4th December).

A green-lit selfie with a piercing white over-the-shoulder light.

A blue-lit selfie with a background of heavy curtains and moulded plaster ceiling.

140

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

thereviewshub.com

A Christmas Carol – The Charles Dickens Museum, London - The Reviews Hub

1143

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Here's my pre-show selfie from last week's press night at the Dickens Museum. The first CHRISTMAS CAROL of the season, and the 18th performance in this year's marathon. 44 to go! We're now fully sold out in York. The best availability is for London at the start of December. Hurry, do!

A blue-lit selfie, incorporating a Victorian collar and a fragment of Christmas tree.

170

Reposted by James Swanton

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy Podcast @onceuponavhs.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

The Horned King animatronic, a featured villain in Tokyo Disneyland's defunct Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour - part of the strange legacy of The Black Cauldron (1985). Listen to our episode with @jamescswanton.bsky.social - linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

041

Reposted by James Swanton

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy Podcast @onceuponavhs.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

A surprisingly sensual witch encounter in The Black Cauldron (1985). Listen to our episode with @jamescswanton.bsky.social - linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

032

Reposted by James Swanton

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy Podcast @onceuponavhs.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

New episode: The Black Cauldron (1985) with @jamescswanton.bsky.social Listen: linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

2141

Reposted by James Swanton

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Anything you can donate to assist the truly great Michael Patrick would be most welcome! He's an incredibly gifted actor and writer, and he's going through something I can't begin to imagine - but he's carrying on with his typically massive optimism, courage and heart. Long may he reign.

gofund.me

Donate to Tracheostomy Support For Michael, organized by Conal Maguire

Hello everybody, We are Michael’s mates. We love Michael. Michael has Motor Neu… Conal Maguire needs your support for Tracheostomy Support For Michael

022

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

gofund.me

Donate to Tracheostomy Support For Michael, organized by Conal Maguire

Hello everybody, We are Michael’s mates. We love Michael. Michael has Motor Neu… Conal Maguire needs your support for Tracheostomy Support For Michael

022

Reposted by James Swanton

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

A quick ticket update for my 45 imminent performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE HAUNTED MAN and THE SIGNAL-MAN, in York and London both!

183

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

A quick ticket update for my 45 imminent performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE HAUNTED MAN and THE SIGNAL-MAN, in York and London both!

183

Reposted by James Swanton

Jason Heeley @jaseheeley.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Always amazing to see such a transformation. Cheered me right up, that has!

041

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Would you look at that: a few minutes of me submitting to the artistry of Dave Elsey, as he recreates Phil Leakey's Creature make-up from THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957). I was lucky enough to receive a DVD of this film on my twelfth birthday. Little did I know what lay ahead...

youtube.com

Oscar-Winner Dave Elsey Recreates Frankenstein’s Creature After 68 Years 😱

YouTube video by Hammer

1111

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Here are the last two portraits taken before Sunday's performances at the Charles Dickens Museum. A few weeks off now, prior to the mania of my 45 Christmas shows. If you missed out this time, panic not: THE SIGNAL-MAN and THE TRIAL FOR MURDER will be back for five airings in December. Link below!

A selfie of a man in a Victorian waistcoat, accented by moody under-lighting.

A selfie of the same Victorian-era man, this time in front of an ornate mirror.

151

Reposted by James Swanton

Jim Ostler @jimostler.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Oh how brilliant an hour this was at the Dickens Museum yesterday. "The Trial for Murder" was new to me; somehow I don't think I will forget it and its face of impure wax. Masterful storytelling.

131

Reposted by James Swanton

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Pre-show pictures from the last four at the Dickens Museum: two on Halloween, two on 1st November. And there are two today - 4pm and 6pm - for which tickets remain plentiful! Link below...

An excited selfie next to a replica of Charles Dickens's Public Readings desk.

A selfie of maniacal joy with a strong light overhead.

2143

Reposted by James Swanton

Dr Jen Baker @jendeavour.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Oh! Lovely to see the Two Ghost Stories, as they were so often collated in Collected works of Dickens (in editions where The Signal-Man extrapolated from Mugby Junction), are being performed together ❤️ I hope it tours!

031

Reposted by James Swanton

Stephen Graves @stephengraves.co.uk · 01/11/2025

Has to be seen to be believed.

021

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Pre-show pictures from the last four at the Dickens Museum: two on Halloween, two on 1st November. And there are two today - 4pm and 6pm - for which tickets remain plentiful! Link below...

2143

Reposted by James Swanton

Jon Dear @accordingtojond.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Just back from James’s electric execution.

3131

Reposted by James Swanton

JasonPJ @howdeedoo.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

What better way to spend Halloween than at the Dickens Museum experiencing a pair of the author’s own creepy tales superbly told by @jamescswanton.bsky.social His physicality and use of lighting added extra dimensions to the text. Thoroughly recommended.

A photograph of the washroom in the cellar of the Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury, London after dark on Halloween with atmospheric lighting. The performance was conducted in a different room on the first floor with even more atmospheric lighting. Pity about the crass noisy Halloween party taking down the street playing completely inappropriate and music, but this did not phase James one jot or spoil the atmosphere.

141

Reposted by James Swanton

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Here's a quick reminder of my Halloween double bill of THE SIGNAL-MAN and THE TRIAL FOR MURDER, which plays at London's Charles Dickens Museum from 31st October to 2nd November! Don't miss out!

173

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Here's a quick reminder of my Halloween double bill of THE SIGNAL-MAN and THE TRIAL FOR MURDER, which plays at London's Charles Dickens Museum from 31st October to 2nd November! Don't miss out!

173

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Four shows over two nights! That leaves 51 before Christmas. The next six are at London's Charles Dickens Museum for Halloween - this Friday to Sunday - and tickets yet remain: dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-ev...

Selfie against an ornate window with blue stained-glass panels.

Selfie next to a wooden cabinet containing medical paraphernalia.

Selfie in a curtained lecture hall, pulling what amounts to a 'surprised' face.

040

Reposted by James Swanton

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Some humbling praise here from horror legend Ramsey Campbell, who caught my double bill of THE SIGNAL-MAN and THE TRIAL FOR MURDER in Manchester! There are still plenty of tickets left for London, 31st October through 2nd November. Hope to see some of you there...?

'One of the absolute highlights of the weekend! A prodigious and extraordinary talent - if he's performing anywhere near you, don't miss it. It's an unforgettable experience.'

161

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

161

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Show seven was on Saturday, at Manchester's Festival of Fantastic Films. 55 left now, with two tonight in York.

A Victorian man (me) horrified to find himself reflected in a mirror.

171

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

That's shows five and six done. Only 56 left!

A selfie with infernal red under-lighting.

A selfie with a photobomb from a painted gentleman.

030

Reposted by James Swanton

Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

The interviewer asks @zackpolanski.bsky.social if he's worried about splitting the left vote & whether the best way to beat the right is to vote Labour. Zack: "The idea that the Labour party are on the left is completely incoherent"

621919527

Reposted by James Swanton

Skionar @skionar.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Go see James, he's terrific at this

0161

James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Four shows done. Can't believe we're down to the last 58.

070

Reposted by James Swanton

Jon Dear @accordingtojond.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

I’ll be there.

071