The Haunted Book Club Live comes to The Portico next month

The Portico is set to host a special live edition of the Haunted Book Club podcast this May.

On Thu 14 May, join storyteller Gav Cross and author John Reppion as they delve into the stories behind some of your favourite spine-tingling tales.

Originally started on Substack, Haunted Book Club combines Gav and John’s love of Victorian and Edwardian ghost and supernatural short fiction, and invites horror fans to meet online every two weeks to discuss a different title.

In this unique live episode, Elizabeth Gaskell, who once frequented the historic library, and her Gothic story, The Old Nurse’s Tale, will be the evening’s focus.

Gav will read and perform the tale in his usual bombastic and robust style, so there’s no need for guests to read the story ahead of time, while John brings his knowledge, expertise and understanding of the story, the author and the creepy themes wrapped up inside.

Describing what guests can expect, Gav says: “I have been reading and enjoying these short classic stories as long as I’ve had a library card. And for the last couple of years, I’ve had the gruesome pleasure of reading Ghost Stories live on the internet and more recently in my touring shows.

“Becoming ‘Norton’s Narrator’ at Norton Priory in Halton has brought me the joy of growing an audience of adults who want these classic tales told to them. And now it’s a new, fun insight, going inside the stories and the authors that created them. John and I are basically inviting the audience to have the conversations we have in the pub, with us!”

Carol Ann Whitehead, Chair, Portico Public Programme Committee, added: “Delighted to have the Haunted Book Club as part of our public programme at the Portico Library.

An evening with Gav Cross and John Reppion is more than a performance—it’s an invitation to step inside the ghostly imagination itself. With Elizabeth Gaskell as their guide, they don’t just tell haunting tales—they awaken them, letting every whisper, shadow, and shiver breathe anew among the audience.”

The Haunted Book Club Live: The Old Nurse’s Tale comes to The Portico on Thu 14 May. Book tickets below.