Haunted Library brings spooky stories to life in Newmarket

The event will re-enact scenes from movies including The Shining and Poltergeist

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 26, 2022
Simone Joseph

Shadowpath Theatre Productions returns to Newmarket Public Library with their event The Haunted Library.

Two groups will roam through three floors of activated library space as true, local ghost stories as well as a few classics are re-enacted. Work by Shirley Jackson, Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe are among the works being featured. The event will re-enact scenes from movies including The Shining and Poltergeist. For part of the presentation, the Jack Nicholson character will be writing at the typewriter, speaking about the isolation of people going mad.

Artistic director Alex Karolyi found ample fodder for the event at Newmarket Public Library. The Newmarket Library gave her a pile of books containing local ghost stories. There were stories of lights flickering on and off, indescribable sounds, the haunting of the pub -- The Grey Goat Pub and Grill. There was mention of the Newmarket Inn, of beds shaking and other spooky happenings.

“I never realized how haunted Newmarket was until I started research for this project,” said Karolyi, who is also performing in the piece. “It makes you look at the town a little differently,” said Karolyi, who grew up in Newmarket. There’s quite a lot of paranormal activity in Newmarket and Aurora, she said. “Newmarket Library is one of our favourite community partners because they are so enthusiastic to work with local artists and to collaborate on innovative, creative programming,” Karolyi said.

In 2016, Shadowpath first produced The Haunted Library which attracted 100 participants over one creepy evening. Now, they are excited to revisit the Newmarket spirits that linger amongst the books and help them tell their tales. Perhaps, Shadowpath will create some new haunted legends along the way (evil laugh). Shadowpath’s aim is to present theatrical experiences in new ways so that everyday spaces and locales become part of the world of the play.

Shadowpath is an award-winning registered charitable organization that has been turning everyday spaces into creative places since 2002. The organization is the recipient of innovation and leadership awards and was recently selected for a Community Engagement award from the York Region Arts Council.

Shadowpath recently produced work at Newmarket Library over the past Spring and Summer with their digital medieval project, Callimachus as well as their youth pride project, Stories of The Alphabet Community.