Horace Walpole has come back to life in a new promenade play at Strawberry Hill House which takes the audience on a historic gothic journey, writes Rachel Bishop.

The play, the Sign of the Strawberry, winds through the magnificent castle Mr Walpole loved so much, with his dialogue based on some of his many letters.

Part of the story is also based on one of the effeminate writer’s gothic novels, the Castle of Otranto, which is widely regarded to be the novel that started the genre.

The play begins with an introduction from a “guide” at the house, but the audience is soon ushered into the first room where Mr Walpole presents himself – which is when the journey really begins.

The play culminates in a ghosts’ ball in the gallery of Strawberry Hill House. The ball features original music by Nick Pratelli and choreography by Ijy de Luca, assistant choreographer on Strictly Come Dancing.

Regardless of your knowledge of gothic literature or the history surrounding the house, the play provides some interesting facts, entwined with comical, yet at times frightening twists.

The play, written by Dianne Cutlack and directed by Christina Artemis, is running until Thursday, March 29, and is being put on by Artemis Productions and the Strawberry Hill Trust.

Evening performances at the house, in Waldegrave Road, begin at 7pm, with an afternoon matinee at 1pm on Saturday, March 24, and a special gala night performance on Monday, March 26.

Tickets are available from £25 at strawberryhillhouse.org.uk, or by calling 020 8744 1241.