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Looking vaguely normal again, the cast go to the conference room for a final discussion and to reflect on what for most was a completely remarkable day.

Sat around a box of Family Circle, Lynton, now wielding a permanent marker and flipchart asked for everyone to come up with a word to describe the day.

‘Proud’ said one.

‘Speechless’ said another.

‘Thirsty’ said one husky voice.

Looking at me, Lynton asked what word I’d associate with the day. On the spot, the best I could come up with was ‘entertaining’.

It was a cliché, but I got away with it. But, joking aside, it was a fascinating – and entertaining day. Yes, every show I saw was the same in terms of performance – every time, faultlessly performed – yet, not one single show was the same in terms of reactions. There were always the gigglers, the screamers and those who stood there with stupefied grins, but there were just so many different reactions and characters that day that you couldn’t possibly list them.

But, list them they tried. “What types of guest did we see today, then?” Lynton asked the cast.

The buffoon. Not buffoons, just one, single, lowly buffoon.

There was also the positive buffoon. They’re also known as coach drivers. They chuckle and make wry remarks to each other, but do so in good humour without ruining the show for others.

There were the fallers, the leavers and the criers.

There was also the ‘teen who was crapping it, then said it was shit’ – her words, not mine.

There were the couples. There were the foreigners.

And, with the Bolshoi Ballet, there were the peers.

“Our little show can achieve a lot,” boasts Lynton. And boast he should – you heard in March how the scare is an international emotion. It appeals to everyone, English-speaking or not, young or old. This rehearsal proved this theory beyond all reasonable doubt.

The above is just the tip of the iceberg. These were the people who came through Ghosts Alive in a matter of hours, and the first examples of people that came to the cast’s mind in reflection.

Before the actors leave for the local watering hole, a few guidelines are discussed. Many obvious, such as phoning ahead if you’re delayed, and many surprising, although of course, understandable.

Such as odourless deodorant. While it is important to note that Sir Fulke Greville wasn’t known for his noxious body odour, he also wasn’t known for smelling of Lynx Africa. Therefore, heavily scented deodorants are a no-no.

Also, no 21st-century paraphernalia. This includes watches, bracelets and anything else that you wouldn’t expect someone to wear in the 17th-century.

With the formalities dealt with, Lynton makes a final speech.

“Entertainment comes in may forms… there are move bad movies than great movies [the actors had been as a group to see ‘Hostel’ a few nights before as a group and unanimously hated it], there are more bad shows than great shows, and length of experience is irrelevant.

“With our little show here, those 9 minutes can be indelible in an audience’s mind. An experience that they will relive, remember and re-tell for years to come – now that’s show business… the dramatic and profound effect on an audience to move them emotionally.

“Let’s face it, the audience knows it’s make believe, before they enter, yet somehow, with discipline and skill, we suspend that belief and move them emotionally. Now that’s acting!

“Now let’s go and celebrate!”

And so they did.

Warwick Ghosts Alive is now open at Warwick Castle. Click here for the Warwick Castle website.

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