Dramarama Spooky

Broadcast on ITV between 1983 and 1989, childrens’ anthology series Dramarama Spooky was a fertile breeding ground for TV talent, giving the likes of Paul Abbott, Kay Mellor, Anthony Horowitz and David Tennant their first opportunities both behind and in front of the camera. But it’s the first batch of episodes we’re focusing on for this screening, subtitled Spooky and featuring a collection of creepy tales about poltergeists and haunting poems.

A classic example of how childrens’ shows weren’t afraid to push the envelope back in the 70s and 80s, these self-contained stories feature a wealth of acting talent, including Wilfred Bramble and Lucy Benjamin. After a screening of two episodes from the series – including Gothic tale In A Dark, Dark Box - film and TV researchers Cat Lester and Kate Egan will be discussing the show’s legacy as well as how scary stories for children have developed over the past few decades.