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As word spreads about Ghosts Alive, forecasting a longer queue it is decided that now would be a good chance to switch from single batching to double batching. Double batching is used on busier days, where two groups go through at the same time. The second group enters as the first group is half way through the ‘murder’ scene.

While the actors normally move from scene to scene, when double batching is in place, they stay in the same position, with only Narrator Hosts guiding guests through the attraction.

This is something that stage actors never normally have to deal with. The procedure is run through several times, and there are some nerves, especially from the Narrator Hosts who have to walk guests through the whole attraction.

A few more groups of children of varying origins go through, some boys, some girls, but in every group the attraction is well received, and as Ghosts Alive closes for lunch, things possibly couldn’t have gone better, tosser notwithstanding.

For lunch, there is no way back to the Spy Tower behind the scenes. Actors are told to walk in parade, and while pearly smiles are discouraged, so too is jumping out at people.

With 14 actors walking in precession, many heads are turned as they enter the Spy Tower and climb up the spiral staircase to the kitchen and dressing room. They make their own plans for lunch, with a 45-minute break before they have to head back down to the show.

Back from lunch, it is the actors who receive one of the largest shocks, not the guests. The world-famous Bolshoi Theatre were visiting Warwick Castle as they are currently on tour with Swan Lake, in Birmingham, so again the attraction is paused so that the cast could shake hands with the famous Russian ballet dancers.

Mid-way through the afternoon, one of the Fulke actors joked with me saying “I bet you know the script by now, don’t you?”

The funny thing was, though, that – having seen the show probably tens of times now – I did. But, it was still entertaining to stand in the darkened recesses of the show watching from the sidelines as the reactions were timeless.

The next group was a much older group, probably ranging from 50-odd to possibly approaching 70 years old. For me, this would be interesting to watch, although the prospect of weak hearts and brittle bones was something that the actors were probably mindful of as they performed for the umpteenth time.

While their performance wasn’t watered down, delivered with the gusto I had come to expect from them, the group had a genuine appreciation for the attraction, the tailing member of the group saying “well done” to the actors, who resisted the urge to come out of character.

It’s 3-o’clock, and the house lights come on, the music stops and the actors gather to discuss how the day was going so far.

Having worked under the false pretence that they have been performing on the first real day, Lynton lets the cat out the bag; “What, did I say they were paying?!”.

While for all intents and purposes it was a dress rehearsal, by telling actors that the guests were paying members of public, all inhibitions and nerves are tackled with when – frankly – it doesn’t matter.

By the time people are paying £2.50 for the privilege of being entertained, the actors will be so well rehearsed that they will put on the very best performance. While today the actors encountered the much-ridiculed tosser, had he distracted them, had they fluffed their lines, it would have – and indeed, as it was anyway – provided a valuable lesson, while offering Lynton a sense of damage limitation.  

While Lynton was jokingly heckled by actors bemoaning the fact “they did this for free!”, treating today like any other day means that the actors are at the top of their game before the attraction has even opened properly.

Up to the Spy Tower, the costumes come off, as too does the makeup as the actors exchange stories from the day. Despite being a quiet day, it has been non-stop, and already the actors have met some real characters.

One exclaimed how a curious woman simply would not take her eyes off one of the actors as he stood in the corner pretending to be a statue. I was shadowing this group, and was behind this inquisitive young lady, who missed Fulke declaring his last will and testament before being dramatically stabbed, instead choosing to look at a lifeless ‘statue’.

It was yet another example of how different people react differently to Ghosts Alive. While it offers a psychological challenge to many, to others, the fear of being scared can be hilarious, while others absorb the historical merit of the show. Continues...