Additional information
| Author | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Script Style | Full Length Play |
| Male Cast | 11 |
| Female Cast | 12 |
| Total Cast | 23 |
Borley Rectory, The Most Haunted House in Essex
£10.00 – £20.00
This is the true story of Borley Rectory. Follow all residents and their families as the ghosts wreak havoc. There ares séances, deceit, happenings and revelations. Was it true? Was Marianne Foyster merely playing the press? Who was the nun that walks the garden above the ground and who is Francois D’arles?
Synopsis
This is the true story of Borley Rectory. Follow all residents and their families as the ghosts wreak havoc. There ares séances, deceit, happenings and revelations. Was it true? Was Marianne Foyster merely playing the press? Who was the nun that walks the garden above the ground and who is Francois D’arles?
Cast
Annabel James: An actress
Harry Price: The lecturer
Henry Dawson Ellis Bull: The rector
Mary Ann Bull: The rector’s wife
Harry Bull: His son
Ethel Bull: Henry’s daughter
Freda Bull: Henry’s daughter
Mabel Bull: Henry’s daughter
Elsie Bull: Henry’s daughter
Rev. Eric Smith: Third vicar
Mabel Smith: Eric’s wife
Lucie Kaye: Price’s secretary
Vince Wall: A Daily Mirror reporter
Lionel Foyster: Fourth rector of Borley
Marianne Foyster: Lionel’s wife
Sir George Whitehouse: Foyster acquaintance
Lady Whitehouse: Whitehouse’s spouse
Francois D’arles: The lodger
Francois D’Arles Junior: D’arles’ young son
Douglas Ian: Marianne’s illegitimate child
Mr Warren: Marks Tey Spiritualist Circle
Mrs Warren: Marks Tey Spiritualist Circle
Louis Mayerling: Sceptic and hoaxer
Sample
Previous Performances
Sudbury Theatre, Summer 2006
West Cliff Theatre, Clacton on sea, March 2006
Colbayns High Scool, Clacton on Sea, April 2006
Steve Davies –
Borley Rectory, The Most Haunted House In Essex?
A good question indeed: There are more questions than answers in this spooky play by Owen J.Lewis. The narrative traces the lives and terrifying hauntings of the incumbents of Essex’s Borley Rectory. From the end of the Nineteenth to the beginning of the Twentieth centuries, Borley traces the story of the ghostly activities happening at the Rectory.
Many solutions are tried from séances to simple “watches” through the night, to map the happenings and diarise their happenings.
From the eccentric Reverend Bull and his family right through to the infamous Marianne and Lionel Foyster, the story weaves its frightening past. The latter going down in history as fakers and publicity seekers: The Foyster’s story alone is a fascinating one. Marianne is clearly wanting in an area that Lionel cannot satisfy. So taking matters into her own hands Mrs. Foyster has an affair with the French/Cockney caretaker Francois D’arles.
Such tension, such promise and such escapism. Whilst having this affair Marianne convinced of the hauntings, brings in the avuncular ghost hunter, Harry Price. Price also narrates the whole story and the clever idea of setting the play in a meeting of the WI works well for Lewis as the story romps along nicely and leaves the entire audience wondering. Why does Mayerling want to disprove him?
I saw this show in Sudbury, Suffolk and the packed theatre was wrapped up in the whole story. It was satisfying to hear all the oohs and aaaahhhs and frightened laughter of the audience as they sat on their edge of their seats as the action continued.
Many believe the story wholesale many doubt it equally strongly, Lewis’ tale spookily proves and disproves each argument. Probably the most exciting two hours of Drama I have seen for a while. This is a five star stellar review.
Sofia Broomfield
Summer 2006