THE CANTERVILLE GHOST - PLAY

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST - PLAY

Washington and Verginia visit Canterville Chase with their parents. The Otis family is from the USA.

Lord Canterville offers guided Tours of the Haunted Apartments, because it is hard to keep the castle going. The children want to know everything about the history of the castle and the secret room.

Mrs. Otis wants to unpack and make them comfortable in the old-fashioned rooms.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Where is the scene set?

The scene is set in the interior of Canterville Chase (Castle).

How is Lord Canterville dressed?

Lord Canterville is very formally dressed.

What nationality are the Otis family?

The Otis family comes from the U.S.A, they are Americans.

Why did Lord Canterville's grandfather have to hide?

Is Lord Canterville still a rich man?

Lord Canterville isn't a rich man any more, because it is very expensive to keep
up a castle.

What does he do to make some extra money?

He offers guided tours of the haunted apartments and cream teas in the
garden for the tourists. He is renting a part of the castle to the Otis family.

Why does he no longer live in the castle?

He does not live in the castle, because the castle is uncomfortable and all the
servants are gone.

What is Virginia's hobby?

Virginia's hobby is painting.

What do the Ghost and the family doctor have in common? (ACHTUNG !!!)

They always appear before someone in the family dies.

What has Washington found under the chair?

Washington found a bloodstain under a chair.

How does Lord Canterville explain its existence?

He says: "Sir Simon de Canterville murdered Lady Eleanore de Canterville
in 1575 on this spot. It's her blood and it cannot be removed

Who is the Ghost?

The Ghost is Sir Simon.

Why must he haunt the castle?

He must haunt the castle, because, his body was never discovered but his
guilty spirit haunts the castle.

Why is Lord Canterville a bit upset?

He is upset because the Otis family removed the bloodstain.

How much does he like Americans?

He doesn't like Americans very much. They show no respect for history or
manners, and they don't believe in his ghost.

Why did Mrs.Otis have trouble at the butcher's?

The butcher didn't understand Mrs.Otis. She ordered "hamburger", but it is called "mince-meat" in British English.

Why have the Otis family come to Britain?

The Otis family came to Britain because they wanted to know all about their heritage.

What makes Virginia cry out?

Virginia cries out, because the stain is back.

What conclusions do they draw?

They think, that there must be a Ghost.

What are the parents happy about?

The parents are happy, because the children don't notice that there is no TV.

What is the Ghost preparing for?

The Ghost is preparing to frighten the children.

What do the children do?

The children play a trick on the Ghost. The children tease the Ghost and throw pellets and pillows at him.

Why does the Ghost not look frightening?

The Ghost doesn't look frightening , because his clothes are old and ridiculous.

Why does Virginia stop teasing him?

Virginia feels sorry for him.

How is he going to frighten Wash?

He is going to stab himself three times in the throat.

Why is he angry?

He is angry, because the stain is gone again and because the Otises insult him.

Why is Mr.Otis's revolver useless?

The revolver ist useless, because a Ghost can't be shot.

What annoys Mr.Otis?

Mr.Otis wants to sleep but the Ghost's chains and sword make too much noise.

How do the children frighten him?

They make a mock ghost.

When does he notice that it is a trick?

When he reads the placard, he notices that it is a trick.

Why does the Ghost want Virginia to stay?

He is lonely.

Why is he so tired?

He is so tired, because he cannot sleep. He must haunt the castle every night.

What is his greatest wish?

His greatest wish is to be at peace.

How can Virginia help him?

Virginia must cry for his sins and pray for him.