Over-18s talk by Professor Richard J. Hand on the history of horror, from ancient demons to modern creepypasta, based on his book.
Professor Richard J. Hand is taking the stage at 21Soho on Tuesday 27 October, with a talk that works its way through the history of horror, fear and the uncanny. Hand is a leading British scholar of horror, media and theatre at the University of East Anglia, and his work looks at how fear, suspense and the uncanny are built across popular performance cultures, with a particular focus on audio drama, Grand-Guignol theatre and cinematic adaptation. The evening draws on his book, A History of Horror, Fear and the Uncanny, to trace the genre from prehistoric death rituals and ancient demons through Gothic horror and right up to modern creepypasta.
Along the way, he brings in a wide cast of supernatural creatures: banshees, changelings, Grendel, Baba Yaga, the Morrigan and the Golem. He also touches on the writing of Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Stephen King, and films like The Exorcist, The Shining and Alien. It's a broad sweep, so it should hold up whether you're into the old-school Gothic stuff or the newer, internet-born horror.
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The session is part of the Seed Talks in London collection and is for over-18s only. It's held in the Main Room at 21Soho, 3-5 Sutton Row, Soho Square, Soho, London W1D 4NR. Doors open at 7:00pm, the talk starts at 7:30pm, and it runs for two and a half hours, so you'll be out by 10:00pm. Tickets are £16.00.
Date
Tuesday, 27 October 2026
19:30
Location
21Soho, Main RoomPrice
Paid
Recommended Age
+18 years
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