Lee's scary show returns
THEATRE fans in Alderney are being warned to expect a scary show this Halloween. Thirteen years after first frightening audiences at the Island Hall, local playwright Lee Flewitt is reprising Is There Anybody There?
THEATRE fans in Alderney are being warned to expect a scary show this Halloween. Thirteen years after first frightening audiences at the Island Hall, local playwright Lee Flewitt is reprising Is There Anybody There?
Most of the original cast are again taking starring roles in the production, which is set in Victorian London.
Mrs Carrington (Andree Gaydon-Smith), a blind clairvoyant hoaxer, plays host to a mixed group of landed gentry, desperate spinsters, dodgy army officials and Sherlock Holmes's right-hand man, Doctor Watson (Robin Whicker). But her well-rehearsed shenanigans go awry when a real ghost takes centre stage.
Lee said: 'I'm hoping it's going to be scary. Thirteen years ago, people said it was one of the scariest evenings they'd ever had. This time I want to make it even creepier. I have some ideas for effects, but I don't want to spoil their shock value.
'People will just have to come and see... if they dare.'
The play was first performed in April 1997 and again at that year's Alderney Week.
Lee said: 'I thought after 13 years and with Halloween approaching, it would be nice to celebrate the anniversary.
'It's an auspicious anniversary as it's a scary play.'
Lee wrote it after being encouraged by a friend.
'It was my mate Brian Talbot. He said we needed to put something creepy on for a change. I'd never written a play before - I'd done a couple of pantomimes at that point, but this was the first.'
After the first performance, Lee sent the script to publishers Samuel French, where it was immediately accepted. It has since been performed in places as far-flung as Scandinavia and China.
Lee said: 'I've had a couple of royalty cheques over the years.
'I remember a Chinese boys' school had to ask permission to change some of the characters. It's also been translated into a Scandinavian language, so it must have been performed in Denmark or somewhere.'
Rehearsals have been going well, according to Lee.
'I'm very pleased. Everyone has picked up the pace in the last week or so. It's great that most of the original cast are involved, as well as some new faces.'
Those include Alex Flewitt as Mary and the writer of this column, who takes on the role of Captain Patterson - a cynical cad. Barbara Featherstone again takes on the role of Lady Gilbert, while Phil Hatcher (Lord Gilbert), Tess Woodnutt (Miss Reid) and Tim Butler (Mr Hopkins) also appear.
Tickets have sold well for the performances, thanks in part to some intriguing advertising.
Lee said: 'It was something of a whispering campaign. The advert was blood-splattered and had the word "soon" on it. 'It seems to have got people interested and suitably curious.
'There are a few tickets left for both nights but anyone who wants to come along will have to get their skates on.'
