Ghost story

However, during rehearsals members had plenty of drama of their own with broken bones, a car crash, mysterious illnesses and more, haunting both cast and the back stage crew.

According to GADS committee member Philip Watts-Charnley, ill fortune has dogged the production since rehearsal began and he explained that in one tense scene at a sance character Lizzie Flynn, played by Jenny Wheeler, cries out: "Join you? I'd sooner lose my teeth!"

Soon after, Jenny ended up in the dentist's chair with wisdom tooth trouble.

Apparently, the problems that GADS has encountered in rehearsing The Uninvited echo those suffered on the set of the 1944 film directed by Lewis Allen and starring Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey.

Philip tells me there are reports that the 1944 filming had problems with the crew being struck down by illnesses and cameras moving on their own. And not long after the film was complete the actress who played Stella, Gail Russell, died tragically aged 36.

"Like the 1944 film, members of the cast and crew have been struck down by illnesses and a cast member has had a car accident. To add to this the producer broke her collarbone," says Philip.

The spooky story, directed by Benita Finch, features aspiring playwright Roddy and his sister Pam, who discover a charming house in the west of England overlooking the Irish Sea.

The house, Cliff End, has been empty for years and they buy it at a suspiciously low price.

It transpires that a murder may or may not have occurred in the house 15 years earlier and they begin to sense that an evil spirit inhabits the house. Strange stories emerge from the locals of the beautiful Mary Meredith, who once lived in the house. With the help of Mary's daughter, Stella, and a sance, the house is forced to reveal its dark secret.

Tickets are £5 / £2.50 children and are available from Grange Tourist Information Centre or at the door.