Ayckbourn's thrilling ghost story to spook audiences at Grand Theatre

The first-ever UK tour of the critically acclaimed London production of Alan Ayckbourn's Haunting Julia will reach Wolverhampton on Monday.

The play is a haunting study of grief, obsession and the supernatural. The chilling, thrilling ghost story is tipped to have audiences jumping out of their seats.

It focuses on Julia Lukin, who was a musical prodigy. At eight years old she was writing symphonies and by the age of 19 the world was at her feet.

Then her body was found in a pool of blood in a dingy attic.

Twelve years pass and her father Joe continues to ask the question "why?".

Was it really suicide? Or was someone else with her on that fateful night? Joe wants answers – and eventually he gets them.

The production features a starry cast with Duncan Preston playing the grief-stricken father Joe.

Preston is one of the most popular and versatile actors in the country and his most memorable roles are Clifford in Acorn Antiques – the Victoria Wood As Seen on TV?soap opera parody – and Stan in Dinnerladies.

He was a regular cast member in the sitcom Surgical Spirit and more recently played the regular role of Doug Potts in Emmerdale.

Joe McFadden will play Andy Rollinson, who was in love with Julia. The actor is best known for his portrayal of motorcycle policeman Joe Mason in Sixties drama Heartbeat.

His other TV credits include Dr Jack Marshland in Cranford; Alistair in Casualty; Prentice McHoan in The Crow Road and Dallas McCabe in Sex, Chips and Rock'n'Roll.

McFadden has also featured in Sparkhouse, Zig Zag Love, Judge John Deed, Peter Ackroyd's London, Reverse Psychology, The Law, Raphael, Bumping The Odds, High Road and Taggart.

He has an impressive list of film credits, which include Small Faces, Dad Savage, The Trouble With Men and Women and Little White Lies.

Haunting Julia will also feature Richard O'Callaghan as Ken Chase, who offers his services as a psychic to Joe.

O'Callaghan has been a professional actor for more than 45 years and his theatre credits include Canon Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest; Ageon in The Comedy of Errors and Marcus Andronicus in Titus Andonicus; Fr Henry Garnet SJ in 5/11 and Gloucester in King Lear.

His TV credits include Dalziel and Pascoe, Molly, Midsomer Murders, The Pale Horse, The Prince and the Pauper, Casualty, McCallum, Spatz, Jackanory, Hannay and many more.

Louise Kempton will star as Julia Lukin and her theatre credits include The Rivals, Spring & Port Wine and The Admirable Crichton; Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Looking for JJ; Topless Mum; School for Wives and Antigone.

Her television credits include shows such as Doctors, The Bill, Casualty, Dorian Gray, Hush Your Mouth, Blue Collars and Buttercups.

Tickets for the show, which runs from Monday to Saturday are available from the venue at www.grandtheatre.info or by calling 01902 429212.