A haunting classic comes to life

Charleswood

St. James-Assiniboia

St. Vital

St. Boniface

A local theatre company is getting a jump on Halloween season.

Hood & Dagger Productions will open its second season by staging an adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s classic, The Haunting of Hill House, Oct. 23 to 26 at the Martial-Caron Theatre at Université de Saint-Boniface (200 De La Cathedrale Ave.).

“Stephen King has said The Haunting of Hill House is the best haunted house story of the 20th century — and he would know,” said Crystal Hood, executive director.

“Halloween is my favourite holiday, so I was very excited at the chance to be a part of a spooky play just in time for it,” said Kyle Boch, who will play the part of Arthur in the upcoming production. “I had not heard of The Haunting of Hill House or Shirley Jackson before, though having seen the last two productions of Hood and Dagger’s, I was confident it would be good. Sure enough, I have been quickly drawn in by its gothic charm.”

“I read The Lottery in high school and have long had Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle on my enormous to-be-read pile,” said crew member Nikki Hauta. “I’m almost finished reading The Haunting of Hill House and it is very creepy — in all the best ways, of course.”

Always keen to partner with other community groups and businesses, the Charleswood-based Hood & Dagger Productions have brought in Killer Noobs Escapes to design the special effects technology for Hill House. In the lead up to the show, the Winnipeg Public Library will host a page-to-stage event on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Westwood Library, where director Brian Hood will discuss bringing Jackson’s novel, which was adapted by F. Andrew Leslie, to the stage.

“It’s going to be very spooky, a psychological thriller,” Hood said.

“I think audiences can expect a chillingly suspenseful tale that will lure them to the edge of their seat,” said Boch, who lives in Old St. Vital. “With a handful of laughs mixed in for good measure, I hope it will be an unforgettable experience.”

“Audiences can expect a great show with plenty of chilling moments that will stay with them,” Hauta, a Worthington resident, added. “I hope they can also feel the love and immense amount of work that everyone has put into this show.”

Funds will also be raised during the show, by way of a 50/50 and proceed sharing, for D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Centre.

Last season, Hood & Dagger were able to raise $10,600 for local charities, earning the 2025 ‘Not-for-Profit of the Year’ award from the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce.

“The outreach and impact we were able to have in the first season exceeded our wildest hopes and dreams,” Hood said. “We’re so thrilled to be an addition to the local arts and culture scene, to provide everyday Winnipeggers the chance to get involved in the arts.”

While rehearsals for Hill House are going full-steam ahead in sunny St. James, Hood & Dagger will also begin auditions for its second offering of the season, 39 Steps. Based on the John Buchan novel that was made famous by the Alfred Hitchcock film, 39 Steps will run Feb. 26 to March 1, 2026. Hood & Dagger’s final production of its second season will be Miss Holmes, a female-presenting take on the classic characters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which will run May 7 to 10, 2026.

“We’re all about community and diversity in our cast and crew is also very important,” Hood said. “We want to encourage the community to come out and see if they can get involved.”

Visit hoodanddagger.ca for more information.