Daniel Barratt
Theatre Diabolique
Fundraising for Mind
Story
Welcome to the Just Giving page for TERRORS OF THE THÉÂTRE DIABOLIQUE! Thank you so much for paying us a visit. Here, you will be able to make a donation to our chosen charity, MIND and you will also find LINKS (below) to our store pages on the publishing site, Lulu.com. But, before you do, let me tell you a little bit about how the project came about and why we have chosen to raise money for this amazing charity…
I have always had a passion for classic horror films. From an early age, I recall watching late night horror films on TV, back in the days when they used to show classic horror double bills from Hammer, Tigon, Amicus and such like. In fact, one of my earliest horror film memories is from none of these great studios but an ITC psychological thriller called 'The Medusa Touch' which featured a chilling performance from the late (and very great) Richard Burton. I still watch that film occasionally and am continually amazed at the effectiveness of this obscure British gem.
But it was always the Amicus portmanteau films that gripped me; that wonderful compilation of short stories which so effectively juxtaposed satirical humour with a smattering of gruesome chills, all wrapped up in a deliciously gothic linking story arc. Who could forget Joan Collins being strangled by a demonic Santa Claus or a murderous brother being staked in the neck for the scarlet rich fulfilment of a restaurant full of hungry plastic fanged vampires? Or indeed the cautionary tale of a jazz trumpeter who unwisely chooses to plagiarise a few refrains of 'voodoo' music in his search for the perfect virtuoso performance? That one was truly a record breaker…
Titles included: 'Doctor Terrors House Of Horrors', 'Tales From the Crypt', 'Vault Of Horror', 'Torture Garden', 'From Beyond The Grave' and 'The Monster Club'. If the stories were perhaps a little lurid, a little preposterous, well it was only to be expected as many were drawn from the DC Horror Comics of the 1950's. And these films also boasted some amazing casts. Joining the established horror actors of their day, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Anna Massey, Donald Pleasance were an impressive array of stars including, Sir Ralph Richardson, Patrick Magee, Margaret Leighton, Donald Sutherland, Tom Baker, Terry Thomas, David Warner and many others.
I still love these wonderfully entertaining films to this day and it seemed to me a neat idea to pay homage to them. And so I have gathered together a group of incredibly talented writers and illustrators and together we bring you our very own prose horror portmanteau, TERRORS OF THE THÉÂTRE DIABOLIQUE…
Six seemingly random strangers are drawn by a mysterious figure to a disused, semi-derelict theatre in a sleepy, seemingly innocuous, seaside town. There they begin their journey into the bowels of the building where their innermost darkest thoughts will be revealed in an encounter that will change their lives forever…
The anthology features a series of six macabre and deliciously funny short stories from the imaginations of writers Jon Arnold, Simon A Brett, John Davies, Tony Eccles, Lee Rawlings and J.R. Southall. In true portmanteau horror film fashion the threads are all drawn together into a thrilling conclusion penned by lead writer, Dan Barratt (me)! The book is lavishly illustrated with the work of a brilliant artist, Paul Griffin.
Not only that, but we are thrilled to have the support of acting legend and Amicus star David Warner who has, with immense kindness and generosity, written a very special foreword for the book.
All proceeds from the sale of THÉÂTRE DIABOLIQUE are being donated to the mental health charity, MIND. I know I've been very lucky in my life, not having to face some of the personal challenges that I have seen others having to cope with, often with a dignity and an inner resolve that is utterly remarkable. And yet, in a much less direct way, my life has been affected by mental illness. In my life there have been, and still are, many people who have suffered from the sometimes subtle and, sadly, sometimes devastating effects of mental health issues. Some years ago, someone very close to me suffered a breakdown. Its affects were and still are terribly debilitating. It is terribly hard to watch someone suffering so terribly and feel so utterly powerless to do anything about it. This, then, is a way, be it very small, that I can perhaps make a difference. Mental health work is, it seems, so terribly underfunded and disregarded by mainstream health services and politics in this country. I am very lucky to be surrounded by so many hugely talented friends, many battling their own personal struggles. Together, we hope to entertain you with this fantastic book - itself a work of love - but also to raise some well needed funds for this amazing charity.So now, to the book! You have two ways of donating and grabbing yourself a copy of this great book:
1. Make a donation here. Leave your email address and you will be sent a download link to the PDF / Kindle copies of the full book. Anyone making a donation (of any amount) will be sent a download link! Please don't be shy... donate whatever you would like or feel you can afford. All donations are very welcome.
2. Click on the following links to access our Lulu store pages where you will find the print versions of TERRORS OF THE THÉÂTRE DIABOLIQUE. All copies ordered from Lulu include a small donation to MIND so, if you wish to do so, you may also make an additional donation here. Please note; these are full, professionally produced and bound books!
Thank you for supporting our fund raising and I hope you enjoy our book. Hurry now... the guide is expecting you...
Dan Barratt
Order link (Paperback, Black & White edition): http://www.lulu.com/shop/dan-barratt/theatre-diabolique/paperback/product-21872118.html
Order link (Hardback, Full Colour edition):
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