The stage adaptation of the thriller novel will tour the UK from January 2019 and will star Rita Simons, Joe McFadden, Charlie Clements and Persephone Swales-Dawson.

The House on Cold Hill - Joe McFadden, Rita Simons, Peter James, Persephone Swales-Dawson, Charlie Clements - cHelen Maybanks

The House on Cold Hill becomes the fourth novel of Peter James’ to reach the stage, following the adaptations of Not Dead Enough, The Perfect Murder and Dead Simple.

The UK tour opens at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford in January, and is due to run until June at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow.

Rita Simons is best known for playing ‘Roxy Mitchell’ in BBC’s EastEnders while BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden is best known for his role as Raf di Lucca in BBC1’s Holby City. Joining them is EastEnders’ star Charlie Clements and Hollyoaks’ Persephone Swales-Dawson.

Speaking of the play, Rita Simons said: “I am really thrilled to be starring in The House on Cold Hill alongside 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.”

The play will see Peter James reunited with Olivier-nominated theatre producer Joshua Andrews, Oliver award winning director Ian Talbot and award-winning writer Shaun McKenna.

The story of The House on Cold Hill

Described as being a modern-day ghostly thriller, The House on Cold Hill follows the Harcout family as they move into their dream home. However, shortly after moving into the house, which has sat empty for the last forty years, they realise that they are not the only residents.

Based on the author’s own real-life experience in a haunted house, the play has been adapted from his 2015 best-selling novel of the same name.

Selected 2019 tour dates

28th January – 2nd February: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
4th-9th February: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
4th-9th March: Theatre Royal, Brighton
15th-20th April: MK Theatre, Milton Keynes
6th-11th May: The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
13th-18th May: Opera House, Manchester
28th May-1st June: Theatre Royal, Glasgow

For more information, visit www.peterjames.com/plays/house-on-cold-hill/.

Image: Joe McFadden, Rita Simons, Peter James, Persephone Swales-Dawson and Charlie Clements (Photo Credit: Helen Maybanks)