Students will bring 'Scarefest' to Gainsborough's medieval manor house
A group of West Lindsey teenagers is staging a horror-themed show in a ‘haunted’ local landmark which is so frightening that they’ve banned children under 12!
The ‘Scarefest’ will feature Gainsborough Old Hall’s notorious Grey Lady in a production being staged in the medieval manor house.
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Scarefest trio, Shannon Powell, Killian O'Brien and Katie Schruyers.
And the 25-minute tour of the English Heritage property is actually part of the Trent Valley Academy curriculum.
It is being written, designed and performed by a group of 30 TVA students including a team of 11 who are taking their BTEC creative and media national diploma.
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Two teams of 10 actors will take the audience through a series of shocking stories which combine the hall’s genuine place in history and the imaginations of the writers.
“As part of our course we have to put on our own festival – and what better venue than Gainsborough Old Hall,” said 16-year-old Killian O’Brien.
“Back in November a group of eight of us decided that we’d like to put on the Scarefest.
“We contacted the Old Hall and had a few meetings with the management team.
“It’s been really interesting because we’ve done it all, although our creative and media team have made sure we were contacting the right people.
“It should be really good because we’ve sold quite a few tickets already. But we’ve had to make it 12 and over.”
The Scarefest will run from 6pm until 8pm on Tuesday, March 19, with the last tour starting at 7.40pm.
Trent Valley Academy performing arts student Katie Schruyers, 15, will draw on her acting experience in her role as The Grey Lady.
“I’ve been in every school production since I started at TVA including the female leads in Hairspray and The Inner Beast,” Katie said.
“But this is completely different. I’m portraying someone who was a real person who still allegedly haunts the building where we’re doing the performance.”
Friend Shannon Powell, 16, is also a little hesitant about treading the boards in the ancient property.
“I’m basically playing a made-up character who has lost her child,” said Shannon.
“And it’s all really different because I’ve never been involved in a historical drama, never mind one with a horror them.
“Everyone at school is really excited and a lot of people have said they’re coming.”
Shaun Clark, the cultural services advisor at Gainsborough Old Hall, has helped the teenagers by provied authentic medieval costumes used by enactors.
Bu the can’t give any guarantees that the real Grey Lady won’t either put in an appearance – or make her presence felt or heard on the night.
“We all know where she treads and she has appeared on a number of occasions on the first floor landing where an ancient door was uncovered,” Mr Clark said.
“The performers and the audience will certainly pass the spot...”
Tickets priced £3 are avaiable in advance from the school on 01427 612411 or on the door.
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