Cast

Synopsis

This is the story of four people who volunteer, as a charity event, to spend the night in an old house which may, or may not, be haunted by the spirit of Annie Ross. Throughout the night, as they wait and debate, their own private demons are revealed in this sometimes funny, sometimes serious, dramatically frightening piece.

Directors Notes

I must admit I had never heard of Irish playwright Bernard Farrell before BLT staged his Lovers at Versailles a year or so ago. At the time I thought the title somewhat misleading (for some reason I expected a French period piece), but I must say I loved the play.

When invited to direct his Annie Ross my first thought was that it was going to be about the Scottish jazz singer. Wrong again! Mr Farrell’s Annie Ross stabbed her lover then committed suicide when Scotland’s Annie Ross was but a toddler. Another misleading title but, in my view, a gem of a play. My sincere thanks to the casting committee for providing me with a very talented and dedicated group of actors, thanks too to the stage committee for putting together such a helpful backstage crew. They have almost made my existence superfluous!

You will note in the programme that the part of the real life Irish radio presenter Gerry Ryan is played by our very dear friend Jim Brooks who recorded his contribution before entering hospital. Tragically he did not survive the operation but his wife Rosie bravely agreed that we should utilize his contribution. All of us involved in this production will remember the remarkable inspiration of the SPIRIT OF JIM BROOKS. He will be sorely missed.