Ryan Simons

Horror Writer and Director · Stage and Screen

I make horror for stage and screen. My films have played in cinemas across North America and Europe, and my theatre brings that cinematic language live, using screen, visual effects and stage illusions to create moments audiences don't expect to see in a theatre.

Whatever the medium, the work starts with story and character. The scares only land if you care about the people they happen to.

The Void

TheatreThunder Road Theatre

Writer / Director

Sci-fi horror. A live show where the world on stage is built through screen, visual effects and stage illusions.

"Psychologically taut and darkly bewitching"

★★★★ Must See Theatre

In association with Watford Palace Theatre

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It's Not A Game

TheatreJay & Joss

Writer / Director

Stage illusions meet digital characters. A new show with illusionists from Britain's Got Talent.

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Shock Horror

TheatreThunder Road Theatre

Writer / Director

A love letter to horror cinema, performed live on stage.

Supported by Arts Council England

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Film

Ryan's horror films have been released theatrically across North America and Europe, distributed internationally, and selected for festivals worldwide. All were shot in West Yorkshire, and having directed films released in cinemas and distributed across thirty territories, he brings genuine screen craft to the stage.

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About

Ryan Simons is a writer and director specialising in horror and immersive theatre, working across stage and screen.

Based in Yorkshire, his theatre work includes the touring sci-fi horror The Void with Watford Palace Theatre, and It's Not A Game, a new show he's writing and directing with illusionists from Britain's Got Talent. His horror films Seizure and Demon Eye have been released theatrically across North America and Europe, distributed in over thirty territories, and his short film Tea With The Reaper won multiple awards on the festival circuit.

Trained at Bretton Hall with a First Class BA Honours in Drama and selected for a writing programme at Hull Truck, Ryan has acted in EastEnders (BBC), Emmerdale (ITV), Spooks (BBC) and Line of Beauty (BBC), and performed at the Sheffield Crucible, Leeds Playhouse, York Theatre Royal and many more. Horror is at the heart of his work.

Ryan's work sits at the intersection of theatre and cinema, using screen, stage illusions and visual effects to push what live performance can do, while keeping story and character at the centre. He's drawn to heightened worlds and genre storytelling, but always rooted in recognisable human experience.