Skip to content

New West actor channels his inner ghoul for Fright Nights

For a performer that loves improv and Halloween, nothing could be more fun than Fright Nights at the PNE. A New Westminster actor is among the creepy costumed characters bringing this year’s annual Halloween extravaganza to life.
Anthony Trombetta, Fright Nights
New West actor Anthony Trombetta is scaring the crowds for this year's Fright Nights at the PNE.

For a performer that loves improv and Halloween, nothing could be more fun than Fright Nights at the PNE.

A New Westminster actor is among the creepy costumed characters bringing this year’s annual Halloween extravaganza to life.

Anthony Trombetta is plunging himself into full monster mode for his turn at Fright Nights, which runs on select nights until Oct. 31.

Trombetta used to be the artistic director for the Guild Theatre in Whitehorse, where he started running annual Haunted Houses. In a press release, he noted Halloween has always been his favourite time of year, so upon moving here he jumped at the chance to work at Fright Nights.

“Scaring people became an itch I never knew I needed to scratch,” he said.

Trombetta describes the event as “like a Mardi Gras for horror fans.”

“Generally everyone comes together in the spirit of getting the crap scared out of them,” he said.

Plus, he noted, the Fright Nights crew spends the time to make sure each costumed character has a professional-quality look before heading out to scare audiences.

This year’s Fright Nights eight haunted houses, live shows and, of course, the chance to ride 20 fear-inducing rides.

The haunted houses include Bloodshed, a dilapidated cabin that’s home to a family of ruthless mutant murders; the Haunted Mansion, which promises a paranormal experience that’s not for the faint of heart; 3D experience of Car-n-Evil; and the Keepers Doll Factory, with a creepy lineup of characters roaming the halls in search of human sacrifices.

Fright Nights is not recommended for people aged 12 and under, seniors, people with sensitivity to strobe lighting or fog machines, people with high blood pressure or heart conditions, pregnant women – or “scaredy-cats,” as a press release says.

Tickets must be purchased for a specific date, and event nights have limited availability. See www.frightnights.ca.