A Spine-Chilling UK Tour Set to Haunt Audiences

If you’re a stickler for facts and figures, here’s a compelling one: the original Swedish novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist has sold over a million copies worldwide and was hailed by critics as a game-changer for vampire literature. Film buffs may recall the Swedish cinematic adaptation that won multiple international awards and inspired an American remake titled LET ME IN. When Jack Thorne—whose credits include co-writing Netflix’s ADOLESCENTS —took on the task of adapting the story for the stage, industry insiders collectively held their breath. Could he possibly capture the fragile humanity and terrifying undercurrents of Lindqvist’s original pages? The answer came in the form of rave reviews from theatres around the UK. From the moment the ominous notes of the show’s opening scene filled the auditorium, it was evident: This was the definitive vampire experience, equal parts claustrophobic horror and poignant coming-of-age tale.

But it’s not just about vampires lurking in the darkness. At its heart, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is an unflinching exploration of loneliness, desperation, and the need for genuine connection. On stage, it deftly balances scenes of raw brutality with moments of delicate intimacy. It reminds us that the monsters we fear might not always lurk under our beds; often, they’re the classmates who bully us at school, or the buried secrets we refuse to confront in ourselves. That’s precisely why critics have called it ‘refreshingly authentic’, pointing to a complex take on adolescence that goes far beyond pointed fangs and pools of blood.

A Surprising Take on Vampires

Mention the word ‘vampire’, and most people immediately conjure images of capes, coffins, and eerie nights lit by full moons. But this production pivots far away from clichéd tropes. Jack Thorne has captured a dimension of the vampire mythos that many miss: the painful existence of an outlier, trapped in a perpetual cycle of survival. His script reveals deeper questions around identity, highlighting the character Eli’s gender ambiguity in a subtle but powerful manner. For the uninitiated, Eli isn’t your run-of-the-mill, gothic vampire. Instead, this spectral neighbour is a study in contrasts: vulnerable yet fierce, childlike yet ancient.

In his own words, Jack Thorne shared: “It was such a privilege to adapt LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, a story that is so deceptive in terms of the way it looks at genre, gender, and love.” True to that statement, the play cleverly subverts expectations. Themes of gender identity run through the storyline, nudging audiences to realise that nothing is as straightforward as it first appears. It’s a theatrical trick, if you will, where small, casual details suddenly become laden with profound significance once you realise the underlying complexities—much like discovering an extra puzzle piece when you thought the puzzle was complete.

Where to Catch the Tour

Mark your diaries, folks. The stage adaptation, helmed by director Bryony Shanahan, will embark on its new tour later this year, opening at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate on 16 October 2025. Following that, it will head to Bromley Churchill Theatre (28 October to 1 November) and then venture to Bristol Old Vic (4 to 15 November), arriving at the Lowry in Salford from 18 to 22 November. After a short break to recover from the autumn frights, the production will continue into the new year at Fareham Live (13 to 17 January 2026), Cardiff New Theatre (20 to 24 January), Southend Palace Theatre (27 to 31 January), Eastbourne Devonshire Park (3 to 7 February), Glasgow Pavilion (17 to 21 February), Birmingham Rep (17 to 21 March), and Liverpool Everyman (14 to 18 April). Additional venues are said to be in the pipeline—so if your hometown isn’t on that initial list, rest assured, more dates may surface soon.

Considering that the 2022 Manchester’s Royal Exchange run was completely sold out, acquiring your ticket sooner rather than later might be prudent. Some suggest the production’s limited seating arrangements and “experiential elements” might make these performances feel more intimate—though ‘intimate’ might well become a code word for ‘you can’t escape the tension’ once you’re inside the theatre. If that possibility thrills you as much as it does me, by all means, grab a seat in the front row. But, fair warning: proceed at your own risk if you have a faint heart.

Delving into the Mind of a Bully (And the Bullied)

The haunting presence of vampires is only one aspect of the show’s power. At its core, it’s a story about Oskar, a lonely boy who finds solace in a Rubik’s Cube—his constant companion on restless, friendless days. In a world that shows no mercy, Oskar endures relentless bullying, a sobering glimpse into the torment young people can face daily. This production doesn’t skimp on that brutal reality. Scenes of violence are stark, but they’re never gratuitous. Every bruise and threat is a reminder of what countless children endure, emphasising the monstrous nature of bullying in a way that’s arguably more horrifying than any vampire could ever be.

Meanwhile, Oskar’s fascination with dark fantasies provides an unsettling parallel to his real-world struggles—an emotional vantage point that often resonates with those who have felt sidelined or misunderstood. Couple that with a neighbour who just might be a centuries-old creature of the night, and you have a stage dynamic that’s impossible to turn away from. People often say great theatre holds up a mirror to our fears and desires. Here, that mirror is smudged with blood, yet it reflects a universal longing for acceptance, empathy, and belonging.

A Rubik’s Cube and Realistic Gore

One detail that often surprises fans is the surprising importance of Oskar’s Rubik’s Cube. Where typical productions might lean on big set pieces to convey a protagonist’s inner turmoil, here it’s this iconic 1980s puzzle toy that symbolises Oskar’s desire for order and control in a chaotic life. Backstage rumours hint that the cast rehearsed with multiple Rubik’s Cubes—some meticulously solved, others scrambled in complicated patterns—so that each performance would appear spontaneous. Allegedly, actors would challenge themselves to solve the Cube within a certain number of moves between scenes. Imagine hearing the quiet clicking backstage as the puzzle changes shape, a form of mental preparation for stepping back into Oskar’s anxious shoes.

As for the show’s more visceral elements, don’t assume it’s all smoke and mirrors. This production is known for its relentless quest for authenticity when depicting the darker side of the story. Realistic-looking blood (and plenty of it) is employed in key scenes to heighten the sense of danger. The lighting design uses strobe effects and sudden bursts of brightness to simulate the shock of violence, leaving audiences rattled and uneasy. This dedication to raw physicality isn’t merely a gimmick; it’s a chilling reminder that the emotional stakes—and the bodily harm—are disturbingly real within the universe of the play.

The Practical Warnings

The creative team is transparent about the production’s intensity. If you plan to attend, be aware that haze, strobe lighting, and abrupt loud noises are all part of the show’s sensory tapestry. Strong language, depictions of blood, and scenes of bullying and violence are integral to the storyline, as is an exploration of alcoholism. Yet one of the most fascinating aspects is the subtle but profound examination of gender identity, anchored by Eli’s character—a layer that might catch newcomers off guard. It’s not every day you see a vampire story treat such themes with genuine pathos and thematic weight, and the result is an emotionally layered experience that lingers long after you’ve left the theatre.

For those seeking a cosy night out at the theatre with polite applause and a little shimmer of stage magic, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN might be more than you bargained for. Yet, for audiences who relish being unsettled, challenged, and provoked into deeper reflection on the monstrous and the human, this production serves as a masterclass in modern theatre. Each new tour date acts as a seductive invitation into the shadowy world of a lonely boy and a mysterious new friend—two outsiders who find common ground in an existence drenched in blood, secrecy, and fragile hope.

What truly elevates this show is its ability to provoke introspection about the boundaries of love and acceptance. Are we brave enough to welcome something (or someone) truly different into our lives? That is the heart of the production, and the question you’ll be wrestling with long after you stumble out of the auditorium, pulse still racing. It’s the kind of theatre that plants seeds of contemplation in your mind, which gradually grow into a forest of ideas—some bright, some dark, and all impossible to ignore.

Step into that forest if you dare. Because once you do, you might just discover that the real horror lies not in the fangs of a supernatural visitor, but in our own reluctance to open our doors to those who need us most. And once you’ve seen LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, it’s a secret you won’t be able to keep to yourself.