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"Truly riveting talks, always enjoy these - a great way to spend an evening with some pals. Already looking forward to the next one."
- Alexander P
Details
Why do stories of ghosts, witches and shapes in the night continue to haunt our imaginations? What is it about those ancient landscapes, ruined churches, mist-shrouded moors and lonely country lanes which so frequently feature in folk horror tales?
In this talk, Professor Marisa Linton uncovers the strange and compelling history of folk horror in the British Isles - from eerie legends rooted in pagan belief to tales shaped by the land itself, its forgotten rituals, sacred sites and unsettling past.
Tracing a line from whispered folklore through the chilling ghost stories of M. R. James and Arthur Conan Doyle, and on to Gothic classics such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, we will explore how folk horror has continually reinvented fear for new generations. From The Wicker Man and Witchfinder General, to modern stories of outsiders stumbling upon remote communities still ruled by “old ways,” the genre has never stopped evolving. Today, folk horror is experiencing a revival, as writers and filmmakers breathe fresh life into ancient legends, revealing that the uncanny is very much alive and thriving in the twenty-first century.
This Seed Talk will last 90 mins, including a Q&A where you'll get a chance to ask more questions.
How Our Prices Work
How Our Prices Work
The MAC is a charity dedicated to creativity, culture, and connection - every £1.50 we make goes directly into supporting our transformative arts and community programmes. Therefore a booking fee of £1.50 per ticket* will apply to all bookings made through our website and over the phone.
*There is no booking fee charge for bookings made in person, free events, school groups, community groups, personal assistant tickets and 16-25 member tickets.
Dates & Times
| Standard | ||||||
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| Tue 24 Mar 2026 | 8:00pm | £16.95 | Book Now |
Meet the Speaker
Marisa Linton
Marisa Linton is a historian, writer and Professor Emerita of History at Kingston University, where she taught the history of folklore, belief in magic, the history of women, and the history of European witch-hunts. She is internationally recognised as a leading authority on the French Revolution, the European Enlightenment and the history of women in France.
Alongside her academic career, she has delivered numerous public talks, appeared on TV and radio, and served as a historical adviser for TV. Today, she also writes fantasy novels that draw on her love for ancient Celtic Britain, folklore and belief in magic, ghost stories and the supernatural.
Accessibility
Accessible Seats
Wheelchair Accessible Seats
We have 6 dedicated wheelchair seats in our Downstairs Theatre – two on the balcony and four on the ground floor (please see seats listed below). These seats are locked off sale on our website so that we can keep them available for wheelchair users. To book a wheelchair accessible seat please call our box office team at 028 9023 5053.
Wheelchair Accessible Seats:
Stalls
- Row A1-2 and A18-19 (accessible via ground floor)
- Row L1-2 and L18-19 (accessible via floor 1 via lift)
Balcony
- Row P22-23 and 20-21 (accessible via floor 2 via lift)
Seats with no steps
If you have any issues with steps, we have a number of seats available with no steps to access.
Rows with no steps:
- Row A in the Stalls (accessible via ground floor)
- Row L in the Stalls (accessible via floor 1 via lift)
- Row P in the Balcony (accessible via floor 2 via lift)
Hearing Loop
There is an induction loop in our Downstairs Theatre which is available during all performances. The loop amplifies the sound of the show via customer’s hearing aid or earphones alongside our infrared devices.
- Infrared necklace – compatible with hearing aids switched to channel T.
- Infrared headset – for customers with no hearing aid.
To book an infrared necklace/headset ahead of your visit, please contact our box office at [email protected] or via phone at 028 9023 5053.
Join our Access Register
The MAC has developed an Access Register which aims to help us do all possible to meet your needs when visiting us‚ whatever your needs may be. We welcome you to join our Access Register here.
Carer’s Ticket Policy
If you require a personal assistant or carer, you are entitled to a free carer’s ticket. Please contact our box office at [email protected] or via phone at 028 9023 5053 to book a free carer’s ticket.
More Information…
For more information on accessibility at the MAC please see our website here.
For any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email at [email protected] or call us on 028 9023 5053.
Reviews
"Expertly run, talks are always super informative and a lot of fun! Couldn’t recommend these enough!"
- Owen S
Been to a few talks and all have been super interesting. An enjoyable evening to go to either alone or with friends. The talks make for stimulating conversation. Highly recommend!
- Daisy J
