Tales from the Vaults

Tales from the Vaults is back at the Scarborough Market Vaults on Saturday 31 October, with three separate performances throughout the day. It's a ghost story show staged in the labyrinth of shops beneath the Market Hall, and the setting does a good bit of the heavy lifting. The Vaults are the underground part of the hall, where you'll find antiques, home furnishings, handmade gifts and second-hand books, and the whole place is increasingly being used as a cultural venue for music and events.

On stage, the friendly paranormal experts trade in local ghouls. They draw on true stories told by Scarborough residents rather than a script of invention, so the tales come from the town itself. The show is split into three acts, and the mood shifts as the day goes on: the first, with the main lights still on before the Market building closes, is for the faint of heart; the later ones are for braver audiences. If you're not quite ready for the dark, the early slot is your best bet.

It's worth remembering where you are, too. The Market Hall above underwent a £2.7 million refurbishment in 2016 and was officially opened by the Mayor of Scarborough, Cllr Simon Green, in April 2017, which added a new Gallery floor and a food court alongside the shops. The Vaults below are the older, quieter part of the building, and that's where the show happens. Between the local stories and the underground setting, it's a proper way to spend a Halloween Saturday in town.

There are three performances on 31 October, at 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and each one runs for 45 minutes. You can pick the time that suits you, and if you're feeling cautious, the 4:30 PM slot is the one with the lights still on.