© 2004 Toned-F Creations

Haunted had its premiere at the Mechanics Hall, Lakes Entrance on 21st and 22nd April 2017 and played to two sell-out audiences. There were many positive comments from audience members. Originally  written for eleven characters, some changes had to be made to accommodate the smaller than expected cast. It had a cast of nine and one set so is ideal for a small group.

The year is 1959 in rural England. Jeannie has been left a cottage by her ‘gran’. It’s a former tied cottage which was used in the past for employees of the estate. Unbeknown to Jeannie, two former tenants, who were both killed in accidents in 1906, are still in residence albeit as ghosts. Annette (the female ghost) is very protective of their home and has frightened all former tenants away. Claude, her husband, doesn’t like frightening the tenants but he is henpecked and does as he is told.

Prior to moving in Jeannie and her family enter to check the cottage out. Annette and Claude play a few tricks but Vince, Jeannette’s husband isn’t scared. Tommy their young son is psychic and sees Annette. His family thinks he is playing tricks.

When they start to move in, George, Jeannie’s father helps and they talk about an old wardrobe which they can’t fit in to the cottage so decide to put it on the back verandah. Shortly afterward Amelia, a young attractive ghost enters. Claude and Annette can see her but Jeannie and Vince can’t. She can see the latter but not the older ghosts.

That evening George and his wife, Betty arrive for a housewarming get together. George notices Annette thinking she is a guest. He mentions Annette to the others who, of course, can’t see her. They think he’s had too much to drink.

After the others leave the room Amelia reappears and George recognises her as his former wife, Jeannie’s mother, who died more than 30 years previously. They reminisce about how they first met and then dance a Charleston.

When the others return they notice how shocked George looks and ask him what the matter is. He explains he has just met Jeannie’s real mother. After Vince’s mother arrives, Jeannie, Vince and his parents go into the kitchen. Betty tells George he is wonderful to tell that story to allay Jeannie’s fears about the ghost. He tells her it wasn’t a story but true. Betty is scared but George tells her not to worry as Amelia is pleased with the way they have brought Jeannie up. They exit and shortly afterwards Tommy enters. He sees Amelia and they ask each other who they are. Amelia tells Tommy she is his grandmother. Tommy doesn’t believe her, telling her she’s too young to be a grandma. Eventually it emerges that Claude and Annette are Amelia’s real parents who worked for the ‘big house’ and after they were killed Amelia was adopted and raised by the lady of the big house. Shortly after Jeannie was born Amelia also had an accident and died. So, in the finale all the family are reunited and the ghosts released from their purgatory.

Designed to be accompanied by backing tracks I can also supply melody lines with chords so a musical director could arrange his/her own accompaniment. Some samples of the backing tracks are below. If you would like more information please contact me and I will email a copy of the script etc.