James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 21hTonight we Shearsmith, so have a few thoughts on my INSIDE NO. 9. #halloweencountdown 272
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 07/10/2026B-list monsters tonight! Cataloguing them is one of my low-level obsessions. #halloweencountdown 081
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Hammer Dracula afterglow - and some vintage film recommendations! #halloweencountdown 0141
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Moving on, some top-flight doggerel (wolfferel?) from THE WOLF MAN, the 1941 film of which starred Bela Lugosi... as Bela. Odd. #halloweencountdown 0101
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026And tonight, as Bauhaus very nearly said: 'BELA LUGOSI'S HEAD!' #halloweencountdown 0121
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Let's try to compile the ultimate Amicus anthology film. I admire/fear anybody who's restrained enough to choose just one Peter Cushing story. #halloweencountdown 0111
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026And for today, an old (and rather familiar) Scottish prayer... #halloweencountdown 0132
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I'm intending to create some mildly spooky video content for every day in the run-up to Halloween. Here was yesterday's entry: a short extract from a 1798 witchcraft ballad! #halloweencountdown 0183
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 19/09/2026This 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. 0164
Reposted by James SwantonStephen Graves @stephengraves.co.uk · 09/09/2026Amazing 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. 😅 193
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Ah, good to know! I haven't started to publicise the Christmas shows yet. Seems a little perverse in these heatwaves! 110
Reposted by James SwantonJason Heeley @jaseheeley.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Just 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.ukYork Theatre Royal 183
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Many happy returns to the great @annodracula.bsky.social! Count Orlok and I hugely enjoyed his traditional birthday bash. 0394
Reposted by James SwantonDaniel McGachey @daniel-mcgachey.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Nice 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 SwantonDawn of the Claire @ctallers.bsky.social · 18/04/2026The First Omen rocked. Well done @jamescswanton.bsky.social - you messed me up! 161
Reposted by James SwantonAll In The Telling - The Ghost Story Network @allinthetelling.bsky.social · 06/04/2026Our 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 SwantonBeanwriting @beanwriting.bsky.social · 03/04/2026Well, 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). 141
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 25/02/2026The best podcast going! I'm slowly catching up; currently on THE BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960). 240
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 13/02/2026Where 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 SwantonThe Film Canary @thefilmcanary.bsky.social · 28/01/2026Ooh, a lede buried there; @jamescswanton.bsky.social in a @bigfinish.bsky.social at last! Hurrah! 041
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 28/01/2026My 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.beShowtime! - Adapting and Acting in Charles Dickens's Stories | Charles Dickens MuseumYouTube video by Charles Dickens Museum 0122
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 04/01/2026Here's the full retrospective...youtu.beYork's Famous Pantomime | A RetrospectiveYouTube video by Henry Calvert 010
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 04/01/2026This 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... 230
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 04/01/2026I 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? 1161
Reposted by James SwantonAndy Murray @mrgeetsromo.bsky.social · 28/12/2025On 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.ukBBC Radio 4 - The Road by Nigel KnealeThe legendary 1963 lost TV play. Adapted by Toby Hadoke. 19846
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 26/12/2025How heartwarming! Thank you so much, Claire! 020
Reposted by James SwantonHODAG RPG @hodagrpg.bsky.social · 26/12/2025Watching...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
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 05/12/2025Funnily enough, I was fitted with a Judge Death helmet - ages ago now, pre-pandemic - for an unmade TV pilot. Not sure where the picture's gone... Bleach, by the way, might be our greatest living actor. An authentic genius. 120
Reposted by James SwantonAnton 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.comThe Dead of Winter (2023) - Projected FiguresStephen 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 SwantonJames Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Five 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.comA Christmas Carol – The Charles Dickens Museum, London - The Reviews HubWriter: 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 · 27/11/2025Click and scroll to find all London tickets!dickensmuseum.comWhat's on at the Charles Dickens MuseumFind out more about the fantastic events and activities at the Charles Dickens Museum which take place throughout the year. 000
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 27/11/2025Selfies 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). 140
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 27/11/2025I'm ashamed never to have read any Scott. I've just stationed George Eliot's MIDDLEMARCH on my coffee table to coax myself into reading that at last! 020
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 26/11/2025... and for THE HAUNTED MAN here.dickensmuseum.comThe Haunted ManThe last of Dickens's Christmas Ghost Stories, The Haunted-Man is brimming with that classic Dickensian combination of gothic chills and warming Christmas spirit. Join actor James Swanton for his solo... 000
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Tickets for THE SIGNAL-MAN here...dickensmuseum.comThe Signalman & The Trial for Murder - Live PerformanceLive, onsite performance. £22 per adult£18 per concessionWe have not placed an age limit on this performance, but please note that this show is, by its nature, designed to be frightening. We would no... 100
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Five 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.comA Christmas Carol – The Charles Dickens Museum, London - The Reviews HubWriter: 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 · 23/11/2025Book sharpish for A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE HAUNTED MAN and THE SIGNAL-MAN...dickensmuseum.comWhat's on at the Charles Dickens MuseumFind out more about the fantastic events and activities at the Charles Dickens Museum which take place throughout the year. 000
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 23/11/2025Here'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! 170
Reposted by James SwantonOnce Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy Podcast @onceuponavhs.bsky.social · 23/11/2025The 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 SwantonOnce Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy Podcast @onceuponavhs.bsky.social · 21/11/2025A surprisingly sensual witch encounter in The Black Cauldron (1985). Listen to our episode with @jamescswanton.bsky.social - linktr.ee/onceuponavhs 032
Reposted by James SwantonOnce Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy Podcast @onceuponavhs.bsky.social · 21/11/2025New episode: The Black Cauldron (1985) with @jamescswanton.bsky.social Listen: linktr.ee/onceuponavhs 2141
Reposted by James SwantonJames Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Anything 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.meDonate to Tracheostomy Support For Michael, organized by Conal MaguireHello 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 · 19/11/2025Anything 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.meDonate to Tracheostomy Support For Michael, organized by Conal MaguireHello 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 SwantonJames Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 11/11/2025A 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 · 11/11/2025And links to my London shows can be found on the Dickens Museum's events page...dickensmuseum.comWhat's on at the Charles Dickens MuseumFind out more about the fantastic events and activities at the Charles Dickens Museum which take place throughout the year. 011
James Swanton @jamescswanton.bsky.social · 11/11/2025The last of the York tickets are here...yorktheatreroyal.co.ukYork Theatre Royal 210