John Willard’s story concerns the death and inheritance of old Cyrus West, a rich eccentric who felt that his relatives “have watched my wealth as if they were cats, and I was a canary”. He decrees that his will can be read 20 years after his death, at which point his relatives converge at his old family home, now a spooky old haunted mansion. The will stipulates that his most distant relative still bearing the name of West will be sole heir, provided they are legally sane. The rest of the night spent in the house calls into question the sanity of Annabelle West (Julie Earnshaw), a fragile young woman who is legally Cyrus West’s heir
Peter Race produces. It’s the first appearances for Graham Wassell, as Paul Jones, and Tracy Crookes as Cicily Young
Staging was difficult, as the set had to change from a library (with fake books) to a bedroom complete with 4-poster bed made from the bookcases, then back again, between scenes. There were also secret panels and special effects to create the eerie atmosphere
An odd advert was placed asking if anyone could lend a straightjacket and a safe…
