LEADING puppet theatre Odd Doll is coming to Skipton Town Hall next weekend with Seaside Terror - a tale about horrors at the beach.

Celebrating the British horror as well as British seaside holidays of the 1970s, this new show brings together puppetry, mask, and specially composed music to fill the stage with nerve-shattering shocks.

Described as a cross between Roald Dahl and seriously ‘black’ The League of Gentlemen, it contains laughs, scares and some wicked acts, featuring evil seagulls and zombie seaside donkeys, the sort of things bound to spur memories for anyone who has spent a rainy day on a British beach during a typical British summertime.

Danielle Daglan, programming and venue development manager at Craven District Council, said she hoped people would enjoy the ‘mesmerising’ show.

“Odd Doll are critically acclaimed for their unusual productions and we’re delighted they are coming to Skipton Town Hall,” she said.

“ Their work takes inspiration from fairy tales, the beauty of circus and dance, the absurdity of clowns and the power of original music. It’s a mesmerising show.”

Meanwhile, Kathleen Yore, the theatre company’s artistic director, said: “We’re so excited to get our new show in front of audiences. We’re going to take people into a world of evil seagulls, zombie donkeys and bingo hairballs.

“The show has a lot of scares, a lot of laughs and some wonderfully wicked acts. It has been described often as a Roald Dahl and League of Gentlemen mash up, creating unforgettable memories for anyone who’s ever spent a rainy day on a British beach.”

The idea for the show came when the team started researching vintage horror movies from the 1960s and 70s. And, they found they seemed to immediately chime with Odd Doll’s sinister but colourful aesthetic.

The show really came alive when this was paired with another great British tradition – the seaside holiday.

The backdrop of coastal towns that have seen better days make for an evocative setting for these spine-tingling adventures.

To make the show, the company decided to collaborate with an army of theatre-making horror fans. The script is written by Adam Robinson, who is currently on tour with his gothic-tinged set of ghost stories Shivers. An original score is provided by composer Paul Mosley, who has released seven original albums and has recently specialized in collaborating with puppet companies including Old Saw and Barely Human.

The performance, on Friday, October 26 at 6pm, is suitable for anyone over the age of 10. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for under-18s. All tickets are available to buy online at: cravendc.gov.uk/skipton-town-hall or from the Box Office 01756 792809.