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The Canterville Ghost story |
Act I
Sir Simon de Canterville is the Ghost of Canterville Chase. Long ago he murdered his wife and he is forever doomed to haunt his family home, driving out all who dare to stay; but he meets his match in the new owners, the Otis family from America.
The Otises are so busy getting to know the ways of an English stately home, they don’t have time for the Ghost, which drives Sir Simon wild. He and his band of fellow ghosts are driven to ever greater extremes to attract their attention, but to no avail. Only Virginia notices him and he falls in love with her, giving her his scarf as a token of his devotion.
However, when she meets Cecil, the local eligible bachelor, Virginia forgets about her romance with the Ghost and he vows revenge. He takes her into his power and abducts her to the Underworld. Cecil finds her scarf and follows her.
Interval
Act II
Sir Simon introduces Virginia to his fellow ghosts and subjects in the Underworld. He plans to marry her and keep her with him for all time, but their wedding preparations are interrupted by the arrival of Cecil and his attempt to rescue her. Cecil fights off several of the ghosts before a final duel with Sir Simon. He loses and the Ghost raises his sword to kill him. Virginia intervenes and pleads for his life, offering to marry Sir Simon in exchange for Cecil’s freedom. The Ghost accepts and in return demands to be alone with his wife — at which point Eleanor, the wife he murdered all those years ago, appears. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, the Ghost promises to atone for his sins.
Virginia is released from the Underworld and returns home. She is astonished to find her family and Cecil mourning for her, and they are overjoyed to see her alive. Cecil and Virginia’s marriage is interrupted by the final appearance of the Ghost of Canterville Chase. However, this time he brings a wedding present of family treasure as a blessing, before saying goodbye forever.
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