Tortoise Lates: Fear

An evening of conversation, ideas and entertainment, new and exclusively for Tortoise members.
Join us if you dare, on the 27th of October, for an evening of real and imaginary horrors in the Tortoise Studio. With terrifying ghost stories, the scariest movies and an exploration of the frightening things happening at the top of government, Tortoise Lates: Fright Night will give you chills…
Please note!
Tortoise Lates is a live studio recording. Doors open at 6pm for a 6.15pm start. If you arrive late, we will show you to your seat during the first interval.

Programme
Session 1 – A Nightmare on Downing Street: will anyone survive?
The Tories are nervous, the markets are spooked and the economic predictions are scary. Meanwhile the country holds its breath: should we panic about the decisions being made (and frequently unmade) by No.10? Is the Prime Minister scared of the backbenchers? Are the backbenchers scared of the electorate? Everyone is frightened about the economy, but can the new Chancellor reassure anyone? For the first time in decades, there’s a palpable sense of fear pervading the economy, government and society. If we’re all terrified of what’s going to happen, where do we go from here?

Session 2 – What’s the scariest horror movie ever made?
Is Misery scarier than The Wicker Man? Is The Conjuring more frightening than the British modern classic Hellraiser – which celebrates its 35 anniversary this year? How do you measure the success of a horror film anyway? Is it the jump scare count or the nightmares it gives you afterwards? And what’s the deal with horror sequels… are they always rubbish, or are there some genuine scares to be had? With our expert panel of film critics, authors and horror fans – we decide once and for all: what’s the scariest movie of all time?

Session 3 – Once upon a time… live spooky storytime for grown ups
If you aren’t scared yet, you soon will be… Hands up for a live experiment in “recreational fear”? For this very special closing scene of our Fright Night programme, we’re thrilled to be joined by Vanessa Woolf, a specialist in the lost art of live storytelling for grown ups. First, we’ll hear Vanessa’s spine-tingling tale – which, we’re led to believe, will genuinely give us the heebie-jeebies – before quickly turning the lights back on and reminding ourselves it’s “just a story”. While our hearts are still racing, renowned horror scholar Dr Mathias Clasen will help us to understand what’s going on. What happens in our bodies when we feel afraid? Why do some people like to feel scared? And what’s happening in our subconscious when we do?