THE saying “All good things come to those who wait” has been quite apt for local playwright, Andy Prangnell, as it’s been seven years since his last show ‘Rearrange The Furniture’ hit the stage at The Victoria Hall Theatre. “This show has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while and had a few different iterations before I settled on what we are putting on at the end of the month” said Andy. “I wanted to create something that was a bit special.”

The show takes place at rural Highcroft Manor House, where two painters and decorators (Jim Thompson and Kyle Jaggers) have been brought in to give the place a much needed freshen up. Welcomed into the house by its owner Lord Winter De-Bois (Mark Ratcliffe) and his house keeper Miss Littlefield (Kate Millner), the job is scheduled to last a month and is all pretty straightforward, but one of the painters keeps hearing and feeling things that make him begin to question his own sanity.

Drawing on what has come to be termed ‘Folk Horror’, the play draws influences from Classic 70’s films like ‘The Wicker Man’ and ‘The Devil Rides Out’, as well as more contemporary films like ‘The Witch’ and ‘Midsommer’.

The play explores elements of Folklore, the power of nature and isolation.

And there is an extra layer of nerves thrown into the mix, as the performers have just one week to rehearse before the show goes up.

“It’s something that both me and Kate have some experience in, with regards to putting a show together” says Jim Thompson, who is also producing the show. “But Mark and Kyle have never done this as they more used to the 6 week process of rehearsing in the evenings. This is going to be 9am to 5pm, full on, Monday to Friday. It’s not for the faint hearted. We are blessed in that Andy has a great script for us and that it should all flow nicely.”

Featuring brand new music written, performed and produced by At Swefn’s Edge, a Cinematic Dreamscape company based in Witham, Andy is very excited about the finished article. “We have some of the best talent in the region going into this play from all aspects,” says Andy, “from the new music to the lighting design and, of course, the cast. Hopefully audiences will come away from this feeling like they have seen something new and different.”

‘Inheritance’ runs for four nights from Wedneday 24^th May to Saturday 27^th May from 7.30pm at The Victoria Hall Theatre in Old Harlow. To buy tickets visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/thompson-promotions

The show is sponsored by www.holisticare.co.uk and www.lezemoresolicitors.co.uk