Charles Dickens’ ‘The Signalman’ is one of the finest spooky stories in the English language, and Middle Ground Theatre is bringing it to life at Darlington Hippodrome in early November.

There’s not a year goes by when I don’t watch the TV version of ‘The Signalman’, which was one of the highlights of the BBC’s Ghost Stories for Christmas dramas in the 1970s. Based on the acclaimed Dickens short story, this ghostly tale has now been turned into an acclaimed theatrical piece. Set in 1880, it concerns a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. But when a well-meaning traveller turns up, can he calm the signalman’s fears before the signalman spirals into self-destruction?

The Signalman, 4-8 November, Darlington Hippodrome, 7.30pm (mats Thurs 2pm & Sat 2.30pm), from £16, darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk