There are moments in life that shake you to your core, moments that redefine who you are and what you stand for. Chloe Thurlow, co-director, producer, and composer of the upcoming dark comedy Haunt, Pray, Love in Bristol knows this truth all too well. Her journey from an aspiring actor to a cancer survivor with an unshakeable zest for life has shaped her as both an artist and a person.
The show, which is set to run on October 31, November 1, and November 2 at The Tobacco Factory Theatre, is a reflection of that journey—a tale of grief, humour, and unexpected human connections, told through the lens of two ghostly characters. But Haunt, Pray, Love is more than just another production on the Bristol theatre scene; it’s a piece of Chloe’s own soul.
When Chloe was just 19 years old, she had her life mapped out: “I’d just started my first year at university to study acting,” she recalls, her voice steady despite the gravity of her words. “It’d always been a toss-up between science and theatre for me. I’d tried studying medical science for a year, but deep down I knew performing was where my heart lay.” Life, however, had other plans.
Chloe began experiencing strange symptoms—persistent sickness, lumps on her body, and rapid weight loss. For months, doctors brushed her concerns aside, insisting she was healthy. It wasn’t until further tests revealed the unimaginable; Chloe had lymphoblastic lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. In an instant, her life was upended.
“I was told I’d have to move into the hospital and start treatment within a matter of days,” Chloe says. “It was such a blur; I didn’t really know what was happening.” Suddenly, the carefree days of university were replaced with hospital beds, chemotherapy, and the daunting reality of survival.
Though Chloe initially approached her illness with a positive attitude, decorating her hospital room with fairy lights and donning colourful wigs to boost her spirits, the toll of treatment eventually took over. “I became a shell,” she admits. “I stopped listening to music, I stopped wearing nice clothes. I wasn’t me anymore.”
But there was a turning point—a moment when a support nurse pointed out that Chloe had lost her vibrancy, her spark. It was a wake-up call.
“I realised I had to keep being me because I was told I likely wouldn’t make it, so I had to enjoy what time I had,” Chloe says, recalling how she began writing songs and reconnecting with the things that brought her joy, even when her body felt too weak to follow through.
It’s this sense of rediscovery that permeates Haunt, Pray, Love . The production is a testament to Chloe’s newfound perspective on life—a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, there is room for laughter, connection, and, most importantly, living fully.
Haunt, Pray, Love may centre on ghosts, but its themes are deeply rooted in human experience.
“The show tells the story of an unlikely pair with very opposing views on life, stuck together and navigating their own experiences of grief,” Chloe explains. “And they both happen to be ghosts.”
Dark comedy, as Chloe describes it, offers a unique way of addressing heavy topics. “Telling these stories through comedy makes them not only more bearable but more human and accessible,” she says. “When loss is told through laughter, I think everyone can find some solace and feel closer to others.”
Yet this isn’t your average ghost story. With an original score performed live on stage, the production blends music and narrative in a way that elevates its emotional depth.
“The band are almost like narrators,” Chloe reveals. “They chip in with songs about the characters or jibes at the audience. They give the show an extra layer, another way to share emotions and experiences with the audience.”
And while the show tackles difficult topics—grief, loss, and the journey of rediscovering oneself—there’s no denying its comedic heart.
“I think the lighter moments shine even brighter when they follow the truly dark ones,” Chloe reflects, a testament to her own journey through the darkest parts of life and back into the light.
Chloe’s experience with illness has made her fearless—both in life and in art. “Being the survivor of a serious illness has made me take more risks creatively,” she confesses. “I’d rather put everything into a show and have it not quite work than do something safer.” It’s a bold approach, but one that has clearly paid off. Haunt, Pray, Love is brimming with the authenticity that only comes from living through adversity.
Her co-director for the production is none other than her husband—the same man who stood by her side during the gruelling months of chemotherapy. Their partnership, both on and off stage, has been crucial to bringing this story to life.
“He’s so sensitive to all the intricacies of telling a story of loss, having lived through it with me,” Chloe says. His sense of humour, she adds, has been indispensable in balancing the emotional weight of the production with the levity of comedy.
Haunt, Pray, Love marks the debut production for Chloe’s theatre company, Eat The Wolf, but it’s clear that this is only the beginning. “We’ve really found our own unique style of performance and storytelling,” Chloe says. “We’re dedicated to exploring dark human themes through humour and song, and giving our audiences a powerfully honest look into some of our past experiences and emotions.”
As for what’s next? Chloe’s enthusiasm is palpable. “There’s no story yet for our next show, but it’ll have our style and mark all over it”
She reminisces about her childhood, attending KneeHigh Theatre productions with her mother, and feeling the magic of how music, movement, and laughter could stir emotions in an audience. It’s a magic she’s eager to recreate with Eat The Wolf.
Looking back on her journey, Chloe’s outlook on life is refreshingly simple: do what makes you happy, and don’t waste time worrying about the future. “Being told I was going to die shortly after turning 19, and then surviving, has completely reshaped my outlook on creativity and life in general,” she says.
Her advice for young creatives echoes this hard-won wisdom: “Use your struggles in your art. Good art is always raw and human, that’s what makes it good. But also, make sure you know what brings you joy within your struggle, whether that’s as small as putting on some cosy socks or doing something you love.”
Haunt, Pray, Love is a manifestation of this philosophy. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, there is always light—and usually, a good laugh to go with it. For tickets visit here