Pleasing Terrors: The 2026 M R James Festival

At a glance

The inaugural M R James Festival will take place on 8-9 November 2026 at London's Drayton Arms Theatre, celebrating the life and work of the renowned ghost story writer. The event will feature a symposium with scholars and authors discussing James's legacy, performances of his tales, and an interactive event immersing the audience in his scholarly world. This festival aims to bring together fans and scholars to explore and appreciate James's contributions to the ghost story genre.

Pleasing Terrors: The M R James Festival is proud to announce its inaugural 2026 Festival, commemorating and exploring the life and work of Montague Rhodes James, the celebrated ghost story writer and scholar, on 8-9 November 2026, at London’s Drayton Arms Theatre.

The inaugural edition of the Festival includes a scholarly and literary symposium, where panellists discuss the life and work of this antiquarian and author, plus performances of two of M R James’s chilling tales, and an original interactive event inviting the audience into his scholarly world.

Distinguished scholars and writers discussing M R James’s life and times at the Symposium include Paula Dempsey, Tracy Hayes, Darryl Jones, Marisa Linton and Elena Tchougounova-Paulson.

Authors discussing M R James’s legacy and the classic ghost story tradition at the Symposium include Dan Coxon, Helen Grant, Tim Jarvis and Reggie Oliver.

The Symposium will run on the afternoon of 8 November.

On the evening of 8 November, the Festival welcomes Nunkie Theatre Company for An Evening with Nunkie, presenting “A Warning to the Curious - Two Ghost Stories by M R James”, performed by the renowned interpreter of M R James, Robert Lloyd Parry.

The seaside has never looked so menacing.

And on the evening of 9 November, the Festival welcomes Leo Doulton for “Shh! At the Old College Library: Open Access Day”, where the audience are invited to confer, negotiate, compete, and share resources to gain access to unique - and unsettling - tomes, facsimiles and artefacts.

“This is a long-awaited event, bringing together connoisseurs of M R James’s spooky antiquarian fiction and fans of a jolly good scare,” says Paul StJohn Mackintosh, founder of Pleasing Terrors. “London’s Drayton Arms Theatre is the perfect London venue to learn, enjoy and experience these pleasing terrors.”

Editorial insight

This announcement marks a notable addition to London’s literary calendar, offering a focused celebration of M R James, whose ghost stories remain influential within both academic and popular circles. By hosting its inaugural festival at a dedicated venue, the event positions itself as a destination for enthusiasts of supernatural fiction and literary scholarship alike.

The festival’s mix of academic discussion, live performance, and interactive experiences may appeal to a range of audiences, from literary scholars to fans of classic horror. With the involvement of established writers and performers, the event is likely to attract attention from those interested in the enduring appeal of James’s work and the wider tradition of ghost stories in British literature.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Human interest

The Role of Interactive Theatre in Literary Festivals

The inclusion of interactive performances at the M R James Festival reflects a growing trend in using immersive theatre to engage audiences in literary events.

Target audience arts and culture sections Story potential 6/10 Human interest

Revival of Ghost Story Traditions

The 2026 M R James Festival highlights a resurgence in interest in classic ghost stories, exploring how traditional storytelling continues to captivate modern audiences.

Target audience culture and arts journalists Story potential 7/10