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What's on in Harrogate
Things I Took From the Dark, told by Reece Shearsmith
Reece Shearsmith of The League of Gentlemen and Inside No. 9 presents a live show based on his memoir, at Harrogate's Royal Hall on Sunday 25 October 2026, 7.30pm.
What the show is
Things I Took From the Dark is a live show built around Reece Shearsmith's illustrated memoir, Things I Took from the Dark: The Museum of Me. Shearsmith co-created The League of Gentlemen, Psychoville and Inside No. 9. He talks through objects and obsessions from his collection of macabre items, including the Glamis Castle skull, the Highgate vampire and a talking mongoose called Gef. He moves between storytelling and performance, then talks with a special guest host. The audience can put questions to him. It will suit fans of his television work and anyone who enjoys ghost stories and the darker side of folklore.
Dates and times
There is one performance in Harrogate, on Sunday 25 October 2026 at the Royal Hall. It starts at 7.30pm. Harrogate Theatre lists the running time as 110 minutes, and the tour listing says that includes a 20-minute interval. The Royal Hall is on Ripon Road, next to Harrogate Convention Centre.
Tickets and who can go
The show is open to the public. Harrogate Theatre is the promoter and sells the tickets. Prices run from £32 to £100. The top price is for a box seating two, and the next price up includes an unsigned hardback of the book. The recommended age is 14+, and under-16s must be accompanied. At the time of writing, both Harrogate Theatre and the tour's ticketing partner Fane show the date as sold out. Fane offers a waiting list, and returns are sometimes released later. Wheelchair and companion bookings are handled by phone on 01423 502116. The Royal Hall and Convention Centre take card and contactless payments only.
Getting there
Harrogate station is about a 10-minute walk from the Convention Centre. LNER runs direct trains to London King's Cross roughly hourly. Leeds is about 35 minutes by train, and Leeds Bradford Airport is about 30 minutes away by taxi. If you are driving, the Convention Centre area has more than 1,200 parking spaces nearby, but a Sunday evening in late October is easier on foot.
Planning your evening
An early-evening start means most people want to eat before the show. Harrogate has plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the Royal Hall, so booking a table is sensible. Afterwards, the town's bars are a short walk away. The Turkish Baths are worth a visit the next morning if you are staying over.
Staying with us
Short Stay Harrogate is a family-run company with serviced apartments and townhouses in the centre of town, many a short walk from the Royal Hall. Staying with us means you can walk back after the show and don't have to plan a late train or taxi. An apartment with a kitchen also suits groups travelling together. If you have a ticket, or are on the waiting list and want to be ready, it is worth checking availability for the weekend early, as autumn weekends in Harrogate fill up.
Staying for this event?
Your base in Harrogate, a short walk from the venue
Make a night of it: dinner in town before the show, then a short walk back to your apartment.
See available homesCentral and walkable
Our homes are spread across central Harrogate, many within a short walk of the Convention Centre, the Royal Hall and the station.
Room for the whole team
Apartments and townhouses that sleep groups, often better value than booking several hotel rooms for exhibitors or delegates.
Book direct, best rate
Self check-in for late arrivals, fast Wi-Fi and a local team on hand. Rated 4.9 from 1,500+ five-star reviews.
Getting there
Harrogate station is in the town centre, with direct trains to London King's Cross roughly every hour and to Leeds in about 35 minutes. The Convention Centre is around a ten-minute walk from the station.
Book early
Big shows and conferences fill the town quickly, especially multi-day trade fairs. Book your stay as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Make a night of it
After the event, Harrogate's restaurants, bars and Turkish Baths are on the doorstep. See our local guide for where we eat and drink.
More events in Harrogate
See what's onQuestions people ask
What time does Things I Took From the Dark, told by Reece Shearsmith, start?
The Harrogate performance on Sunday 25 October 2026 starts at 7.30pm at the Royal Hall. It runs for about 1 hour 50 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
Is Things I Took From the Dark, told by Reece Shearsmith open to the public?
Yes. It is a ticketed public show promoted by Harrogate Theatre. At the time of writing, the Harrogate date is listed as sold out. You can contact the box office on 01423 502116, or join the waiting list on the tour's ticketing page (Fane), in case more tickets are released.
What is the age guidance?
The show is recommended for ages 14 and over, and under-16s must be accompanied.
Where should I stay for Things I Took From the Dark, told by Reece Shearsmith?
Short Stay Harrogate has serviced apartments and townhouses in central Harrogate, many a short walk from the Royal Hall and Convention Centre. They suit couples and groups who want to walk home after a 7.30pm show. Book early, as late-October weekends are busy.
How do I get to the Royal Hall?
The Royal Hall is on Ripon Road, next to Harrogate Convention Centre. Harrogate station is about a 10-minute walk from the Convention Centre. Leeds is about 35 minutes by train.
Can I pay by cash at the venue?
No. The Royal Hall and Harrogate Convention Centre accept card and contactless payments only.
