Post Mortem Players will present Vive le Grand-Guignol !, a one-night celebration of Paris’s legendary “theatre of horror” the Théâtre du Grand-Guignol, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at The Independent Picture House.

The evening will feature a French-inspired reception with pastries from Concord’s Chocolatier Barrucand, followed by a screening of Severin Films’ new documentary Theatre of Horrors: The Sordid Story of Paris’ Grand Guignol and a panel discussion exploring the theatre’s history, its influence on modern horror, and its continuing legacy. The event will also support an international fundraising campaign to create a permanent memorial for Maxa, the Grand Guignol’s legendary leading lady and the world’s first Scream Queen.

Post Mortem Players became involved with the memorial campaign after connecting with Maxa’s descendants in France and is helping raise awareness and funds for a permanent marker honoring her life and legacy. A member of Maxa’s family will also travel from France to North Carolina later in October to support PMP’s Grand Guignol production. The October 7th  panel will feature Grand Guignol scholar Richard J. Hand, Professor of Drama and Scriptwriting at the University of East Anglia and co-author of four volumes on Grand-Guignol horror theatre, and filmmaker and producer Robert Parigi, whose credits include the cult horror film Love Object, Tales from the Crypt, and Freddy’s Nightmares.

The discussion will be moderated by Charlotte writer, actor, and horror-film veteran Pat Moran. Hand will join remotely from Norwich, England, with Parigi joining from Los Angeles.

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