In deep space… 

A missing starship finally re-merges and sends out a distress signal. But when a ranger is sent out to investigate, he discovers that something sinister has taken over the craft.

Inspired by classic 80s sci-fi horror, The Void follows on from Thunder Road’s “terrifying” (The Scotsman) smash-hit Shock Horror, bringing cinematic horror theatre to audiences across the UK. Immerse youself in a battle for survival as the truth behind the horrors on board begins to unravel.

Who we are…

Thunder Road is a multi-award-winning theatre company from Yorkshire, specialising in creating visually striking horror that fuses storytelling, multimedia (film) and illusion. Est. in 2011, the collective (who enjoyed a seven year residency at Harrogate Theatre) is now a fully fledged mid-scale touring operation, with multiple projects performed UK-wide.

The team is passionate about bringing new audiences into theatres by blending the language of stage and screen, producing contemporary work that also explores the fears of modern society. This resonates particularly with young people, and has led to an extensive creative learning programme delivered on tour to widespread acclaim.

View our visual gallery here.

What will happen?

The Void will feature the company’s innovative approach to visual theatre with multimedia film (video diaries, cinematography, special effects imagery & shadow play) accompanying the live action; led by a highly accomplished creative team, supported by an extensive marketing campaign to bring in both new and existing audiences.

  • Creatives and their selected credits include:

    Writer & Director Ryan Simons:
    Shock Horror (Thunder Road) Seizure, Demon Eye, Tea With the Reaper (Bright Night Films).

    Producer & Actor Alex Moran:
    War Horse (National Theatre), Quality Street (Northern Broadsides), A Clockwork Orange (Arcola).

    Director of Photography Dave Hackney:
    Polterheist, Seizure, Demon Eye,Tea with the Reaper, Hyde.

    Designer Rebecca Pitt:
    BBC, Apollo Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, Harold Pinter Theatre, Exeter Northcott.

    Marketing and PR Jess Rooney:
    Leeds Playhouse, Northern Broadsides, Claybody Theatre, Theatre Royal Wakefield.

    Composer Ben Parsons:
    Frankenstein (Cascade), The Hidden Lives of Pets (Netflix), Grand Designs (Channel 4).

    Lighting Designer: Andrew Crofts
    Imitating the Dog, Blast Theory, Belarus Free Theatre, Invisible Flock, Streetwise Opera.

    Technical Production Dom Patel:
    Macbeth (IC Theatre), BI-TOPIA (Emmerson and Ward), Shock Horror (Thunder Road).

    Casting is still to be announced.

  • The Void explores our cynical rejection of those who are different and our devout dependance on high-tech to keep us connected:

    • Blurred boundaries between humans & AI

    • How can technology keep us safe from those who wish to harm us?

    • What happens when technology decides we are the problem?

    • Our in-house Marketing and PR Manager, Jess Rooney, will meet with your Communications and Education Teams to inform your team about the show and target audience. Together they will develop a Marketing, PR and Outreach plan and allocate a contra spend.

    • A bank of high quality photo and video assets will be provided; re-sized for all social media channels, print and web-use, and all videos subtitled.

    • For repeat venues, we will leverage the success of Shock Horror to build on an existing fanbase. For new venues, we will create a strategy to attract new bookers.

    • Jess will offer ongoing support to your team throughout the on-sale and show period through targeted outreach, and custom content generation (eg Instagram takeovers and localised press releases) designed specifically for your audience.

    • Young cinema-goers and thrill-seekers: With The Void, Thunder Road Theatre aims to bridge the gap between film and live performance, drawing young cinema-goers and thrill-seekers into theatres by offering a truly cinematic experience on stage. The Void speaks directly to young adults (18-30) who are captivated by retro vibes and aesthetics, much like the popular series Stranger Things.

    • 80s nostalgia seekers: For middle-aged couples seeking a trip down memory lane, The Void offers the perfect dose of 80s nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from the classic sci-fi horror films that defined the era, the show captures the retro aesthetic, tension, and atmosphere that will resonate with those who grew up during the golden age of cinema.

    • School groups: The show is an ideal fit for drama and media students. Drama and acting students can observe the techniques used in live performance, such as staging, character portrayal, and the nuances of delivering tension and emotion in a horror context. Media students can analyse the show's use of multimedia elements and special effects, gaining insight into how these techniques translate from screen to stage.

“Thunder Road’s dynamic performance style puts them at the very forefront of artistic talent.”

— Kevin Jamieson, Senior Producer: HOME Manchester

Creative learning

A weekly engagement wrapped-around The Void on tour, targeting nearby schools, colleges and universities.

Interacting live, young people will be encouraged to explore their own creativity, with support and guidance from their workshop leader - Thunder Road’s senior producer and War Horse creative Alex Moran.

Our e-Learning page is available here.

  • Delivered over multiple two-hour sessions each week.

    We deliver activities that explore the principals of crafting the perfect on-stage scare, focusing on horror theatre, devising techniques & puppetry interaction. Our workshops offer a gateway to unleash young people’s imaginations, inspiring their academic interests and honing their craft.

    View our horror workshop gallery here and watch it in action here.

  • Post-show Q&A events will give young people the unique opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the different creative pathways within the performing arts industry.

    An informal environment to reflect, connect and share grounded advice with our back-stage and on-stage artists.

  • “The workshops are extremely high quality and all that we hoped they would be. So inspiring.”
    - Joanna Linford, Landmark Theatres

    “The whole day was amazing! Really insightful, really engaging. I learnt so much about puppetry and horror in theatre.”
    - Lily, Thomas Hardye School

    “Our youth theatre had a terrific session and it gave them so much to think about and develop in their practice.”
    - James Williams, Watford Palace

    “Thunder Road’s ability to encourage is amazing and their passion for horror theatre is contagious”
    - Becca, Rugby School

“The workshops were really cool. Looking forward to using what we did in my acting class in the future”

— Jay, Priestley College

Our work

We have been producing theatre projects for over a decade. Our most recent (created in 2022) mid-scale, multimedia theatre project Shock Horror continues to tour the UK due to rave reviews (left) and popular demand.

All our past projects can be found here.

  • Inspired by classic theatre ghost stories and cinema’s greatest frights, Shock Horror is a chilling journey into a haunted past. Combining live performance and big-screen action, it’s full of shivers, shrieks and shocking revelations.

    The acclaimed production has currently visited 29 theatres across 3 countries, and has been seen by over seventeen thousand people.

    View our gallery here.

  • “Very gripping, you could have heard a pin drop”
    - Caitlin Batley, Audience Member

    “Thunder Road’s desire to create engaging, fun, terrifying, boundary-breaking theatre is second to none. They have gone above and beyond with Shock Horror to engage young and old.”
    - Annie Bartley, Uppingham Theatre

    “The most petrifying experience I have ever had in a theatre”
    - Joe Gerrard, Audience Member

    “Drama is such a hard sell at The Roses, I cannot tell you how pleased I am that we got so many audiences in – this is such a success, it really is. And not to mention a school in too.”
    - Caroline Lawrence, Roses Theatre

  • For an in depth spreadsheet (ticket sales, booking patterns) please email Jess Rooney: marketing@thunderroadtheatre.org

What’s the legacy?

The legacy of each project extends far beyond the confines of its performances and workshops, leaving a long-lasting mark on the hearts and minds of young people and the broader creative and academic communities.

We hope the project will:

  • Inspire long-term passions and interests for young people, encouraging them to pursue vibrant careers in theatre, film, and multimedia production.

  • Empower their creative expression: young people are inspired to create their own devised pieces that reflects their unique perspectives and experiences.

  • Enrich students' understanding of drama, multimedia storytelling and wellbeing, improving their academic performance.

  • Motivate teachers and educators to incorporate elements of horror theatre into their curriculum, providing students with opportunities to analyse themes, dissect narratives, and explore the cultural significance of the genre.

Booking Info

For bookings, please contact:

Alex Moran: info@thunderroadtheatre.org

  • 9 September - 28 October 2025.

  • The show is being designed for small-mid auditorium spaces. The following is subject to (minor) change.

    Get In: Set-up from 9am on the day of the first performance.

    Staging requirements: Perf. area min. 5m x 5m

    Running time: 1 hr 40 mins (+ interval)

    Number in company: TBC (maximum of 4)

  • Affordable & negotiable.

    Workshops delivered free in return for group schools booking.