James Swanton
banner
jamescswanton.bsky.social
James Swanton
@jamescswanton.bsky.social
Actor in Apartment 7A, Inside No. 9, Tarot, The First Omen, Lot No. 249, Stopmotion, DASHCAM, Host, Frankenstein's Creature. Much Dickens on stage. Spooky.
Where do you go to find authoritative pronunciations for alchemical terms? Nigredo, albedo, citrinitas (especially) and rubedo, etc. All I'm finding online are videos created by pseuds (or, indeed, robots) that I don't exactly trust.
February 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Reposted by James Swanton
Ooh, a lede buried there; @jamescswanton.bsky.social in a @bigfinish.bsky.social at last! Hurrah!
The Master has plans. The Doctor has principles. The Zygons have Earth. 🌍 Click https://bgfn.sh/zct to find out more about Zygon Century: Transformation, and pre-order as a download to own and collector's edition CD.

Due for release in April 2026.
January 28, 2026 at 5:16 PM
My interview for the Dickens Museum's SHOWTIME! exhibition is now available online. They projected it on a wall for six months, meaning I was too frightened to watch! Includes ramblings on David Lean's seminal OLIVER TWIST (1948), Simon Callow, Alastair Sim, Gonzo, etc.
Showtime! - Adapting and Acting in Charles Dickens's Stories | Charles Dickens Museum
YouTube video by Charles Dickens Museum
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 8:43 AM
This pleased me immensely: in a recent mini-doc on York's legendary panto, you can clearly see a copy of @jimmymcdonough.bsky.social's THE GHASTLY ONE on display in Berwick Kaler's home office. Check the bottom shelf, on the far right...
January 4, 2026 at 5:17 PM
I gave 62 one-man Dickens plays in the run-up to Christmas, as well as being interviewed by The New York Times. Common sense dictates I should get some rest, but what I'd really like is another job. Ah - who'd be an actor?
January 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Reposted by James Swanton
On BBC 4 Extra at 4pm: a repeat of @tobyhadoke.bsky.social’s estimable and effective 2018 radio adaptation of The Road. Genuinely not to be missed if you’re a Nigel Kneale fan.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - The Road by Nigel Kneale
The legendary 1963 lost TV play. Adapted by Toby Hadoke.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by James Swanton
Watching...Marveling, really at @jamescswanton.bsky.social 's INCREDIBLE performance as Ransley in The Haunted Season: To Fire Come At Last!

Holy macaroni, US folks run, don't walk over to Shudder to check it out!
December 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by James Swanton
"confronts a modern-day Scrooge with how the other half lives... and dies": @stephengraves.co.uk's short ghost story THE DEAD OF WINTER (2023) is now on ShortsTV and Prime Video, screening as part of the "Christmas Stories" compilation. projectedfigures.com/2023/10/18/t...
The Dead of Winter (2023) - Projected Figures
Stephen Graves' short Christmas ghost story THE DEAD OF WINTER confronts a modern-day Scrooge with how the other half lives... and dies
projectedfigures.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Reposted by James Swanton
Five stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) for my CAROL here: 'While there will undoubtedly be many versions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to choose from this festive season, on screen and stage, this is one helluva performance not to be missed.' Virtually sold out in London, but SIGNAL-MAN and HAUNTED MAN tickets remain!
A Christmas Carol – The Charles Dickens Museum, London   - The Reviews Hub
Writer: Charles Dickens  Have we ever lived in more Dickensian times? With shameful levels of child poverty, homelessness, and hunger, it’s shocking to think that almost two centuries later, these iss...
www.thereviewshub.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Selfies taken before shows 19 (THE HAUNTED MAN) and 20 (A CHRISTMAS CAROL). 42 left! We're sold out in York, but we've some London availability coming up. The two CAROLs on 2nd December are the only ones with any spaces left; also room for THE HAUNTED MAN and THE SIGNAL-MAN (3rd and 4th December).
November 27, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Five stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) for my CAROL here: 'While there will undoubtedly be many versions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to choose from this festive season, on screen and stage, this is one helluva performance not to be missed.' Virtually sold out in London, but SIGNAL-MAN and HAUNTED MAN tickets remain!
A Christmas Carol – The Charles Dickens Museum, London   - The Reviews Hub
Writer: Charles Dickens  Have we ever lived in more Dickensian times? With shameful levels of child poverty, homelessness, and hunger, it’s shocking to think that almost two centuries later, these iss...
www.thereviewshub.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Here's my pre-show selfie from last week's press night at the Dickens Museum. The first CHRISTMAS CAROL of the season, and the 18th performance in this year's marathon. 44 to go! We're now fully sold out in York. The best availability is for London at the start of December. Hurry, do!
November 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by James Swanton
The Horned King animatronic, a featured villain in Tokyo Disneyland's defunct Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour - part of the strange legacy of The Black Cauldron (1985).

Listen to our episode with @jamescswanton.bsky.social - linktr.ee/onceuponavhs
November 23, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by James Swanton
A surprisingly sensual witch encounter in The Black Cauldron (1985).

Listen to our episode with @jamescswanton.bsky.social - linktr.ee/onceuponavhs
November 21, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by James Swanton
New episode: The Black Cauldron (1985) with @jamescswanton.bsky.social

Listen: linktr.ee/onceuponavhs
November 21, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Reposted by James Swanton
Anything you can donate to assist the truly great Michael Patrick would be most welcome! He's an incredibly gifted actor and writer, and he's going through something I can't begin to imagine - but he's carrying on with his typically massive optimism, courage and heart. Long may he reign.
Donate to Tracheostomy Support For Michael, organized by Conal Maguire
Hello everybody, We are Michael’s mates. We love Michael. Michael has Motor Neu… Conal Maguire needs your support for Tracheostomy Support For Michael
gofund.me
November 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Anything you can donate to assist the truly great Michael Patrick would be most welcome! He's an incredibly gifted actor and writer, and he's going through something I can't begin to imagine - but he's carrying on with his typically massive optimism, courage and heart. Long may he reign.
Donate to Tracheostomy Support For Michael, organized by Conal Maguire
Hello everybody, We are Michael’s mates. We love Michael. Michael has Motor Neu… Conal Maguire needs your support for Tracheostomy Support For Michael
gofund.me
November 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by James Swanton
A quick ticket update for my 45 imminent performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE HAUNTED MAN and THE SIGNAL-MAN, in York and London both!
November 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
A quick ticket update for my 45 imminent performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE HAUNTED MAN and THE SIGNAL-MAN, in York and London both!
November 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by James Swanton
Always amazing to see such a transformation. Cheered me right up, that has!
Would you look at that: a few minutes of me submitting to the artistry of Dave Elsey, as he recreates Phil Leakey's Creature make-up from THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957). I was lucky enough to receive a DVD of this film on my twelfth birthday. Little did I know what lay ahead...
Oscar-Winner Dave Elsey Recreates Frankenstein’s Creature After 68 Years 😱
YouTube video by Hammer
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Would you look at that: a few minutes of me submitting to the artistry of Dave Elsey, as he recreates Phil Leakey's Creature make-up from THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957). I was lucky enough to receive a DVD of this film on my twelfth birthday. Little did I know what lay ahead...
Oscar-Winner Dave Elsey Recreates Frankenstein’s Creature After 68 Years 😱
YouTube video by Hammer
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Here are the last two portraits taken before Sunday's performances at the Charles Dickens Museum. A few weeks off now, prior to the mania of my 45 Christmas shows. If you missed out this time, panic not: THE SIGNAL-MAN and THE TRIAL FOR MURDER will be back for five airings in December. Link below!
November 4, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Reposted by James Swanton
Oh how brilliant an hour this was at the Dickens Museum yesterday. "The Trial for Murder" was new to me; somehow I don't think I will forget it and its face of impure wax. Masterful storytelling.
November 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Reposted by James Swanton
Pre-show pictures from the last four at the Dickens Museum: two on Halloween, two on 1st November. And there are two today - 4pm and 6pm - for which tickets remain plentiful! Link below...
November 2, 2025 at 9:12 AM