Many people will remember the scene from The Shining where Jack Nicholson's face emerges through the newly-chopped hole in the bathroom door and utters the immortal line: "Here's Johnny!"

It must be one of the scariest, yet funniest, scenes in cinema history. Combining spine-chilling terror with laugh-out-loud comedy is no mean feat.

And yet I'll Be Back At Midnight aims to have the audience jumping out of their seats with fear one minute and howling with laughter the next.

The cult play from Canada follows the story of Jan, who, after several months in hospital due to a nervous breakdown, is taken by her husband Greg to an isolated farmhouse to recover in peaceful surroundings.

When her sister arrives it quickly becomes apparent her sibling is unusually close to Greg. To cap it all off the local farmer, George, is intent on frightening the guests with stories of how their farmhouse is haunted.

Tony Scannell, who many will remember as Ted Roach from The Bill, is one of the stars of the production.

"I play George, who is a slightly demented farmer," laughs Tony. "He's quite eccentric but isn't malevolent at all. The audience are usually all laughing at him. Of course, he is meant to be funny," he adds.

"The play is a 'Shock! Horror!' type play," he continues. "A thriller with laughs.

"I love acting on stage. It's a cliche but every audience really is different.

"One crowd will come in and be ready to laugh and another you have to work much harder to get the same effect. That's what's exciting the direct contact with the audience and the spontaneity."

For soap fans out there the play also stars Andrew Lynford (East Enders), Abigail Fisher (Emmerdale) and Georgina Redhead (Hollyoaks).

Starts at 7.45pm, matinees on Wednesday and Saturday start at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £11-£15, call 01323 412000.