Play inspired by accident 250 years ago

‘47 – a ghost story…’
Premiere – Friday 19 June, The Bishop’s Barn, Wells
Friday 20 & Saturday 21 June, Taunton Brewhouse

Audiences are being asked not to reveal the ending of a new play inspired by an explosion that took place over 250 years ago.

‘47 – A Ghost Story…’ was inspired by a visit to Beer Quarry Caves in Devon, where writer Richard Crowe learned of a tragic event in 1758 when part of the quarry roof collapsed.

The play explores the history of the caves, the characters who still haunt them, and the story of an eight-year-old boy who was sent underground with a warning.

As the audience enter the auditorium, they are offered a chocolate coin. They can choose whether to eat it, but are advised to keep it safe until after the performance. They are told they will find out what it is for ‘when the time comes’.

At the beginning of the play, a couple find themselves underground. They seem to be on a bizarre guided tour. They’re not sure how they ended up in the caves. Pat blames his Jimmy’s driving, and he blames her directions.

Richard Crowe said:

“‘47’ is so much more than just a ghost story. It’s an exploration of 2,000 years of history, the relationships between rich and poor and the deterioration of a relationship. On the journey we encounter ghosts, bats and a mysterious tour guide as we move toward a shocking climax.

“It’s the age old story of negligence in the pursuit of profit leading to a tragedy which could easily have been avoided. There are parallels with how workers are sometimes treated today. People on zero hours contracts with low pay can be exploited, just as the quarrymen were in the 1700s.”

Actor Vicki Mogford said: 

“It’s been great working on a piece of work that is chillingly real both historically and current.”

Actor Mimi Cassidy said: 

“It has been a fascinating journey to excavate the stories from Beer Quarry Caves and the people who worked there, and exciting for us as actors to build interesting characters only to witness their mental and spiritual destruction.

The premiere of ’47 – a ghost story…’ is on Friday 19 June at The Bishop’s Barn, Wells as part of Wells Theatre Festival. There will also be performances on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June at Taunton Brewhouse.