The Canterville Ghost

A theatre manager who is the welcoming face greeting audiences has a new role – as a scary ghost.

Robert Briggs, who is front of house manager at Sheringham Little Theatre, will play Sir Simon de Canterville in an upcoming “am dram” production.

But for the man whose career has included spells as airline cabin crew and in cruise ship hospitality, it harks back to his love of theatre and performing.

Theatregoers are used to seeing Robert dishing out tickets, smiles and ice creams in his meet-and-greet role. But from November 20-23 they will see him as a 17th century nobleman from beyond the grave.

In an updated version of Oscar Wilde’s humorous short story The Canterville Ghost a country house is bought by American owner Horace Otis and his family despite warnings it is haunted.

Sir Simon, who had killed his wife before being bricked up alive in a wall by her brothers to starve to death, returns to his old haunt to scare the newcomers but meets his match in the Otis clan.

Robert said: “It’s a great role to play. He is an egotistical bombast but there’s a vulnerability too because he wants to be forgiven.”

Robert started out as a teacher specialising in drama, despite “always wanted to be an actor, but my dad who was a Yorkshire pit electrician would have none of it – a bit like the Billy Elliott story.”

His career path initially took him backstage as an assistant stage manager, with some performing and extras work. He also had spells with a cruise ship company singing and dancing, leading on-board entertainment and hosting hospitality sessions, before 15 years as cabin crew on British Airways long haul flights, which ended with Covid and voluntary redundancy.

It was during a stay with a friend in Sheringham that he fell in love with the town and the Little Theatre. And when the venue advertised for a front of house manager he had all the customer skills to suit the job – which also rekindled his performing through adult drama classes.

Robert recently did a Hole In My Bucket sketch with commercial manager colleague Hannah Smith at a fundraising variety show for the theatre.

“It has been a few years since I last did a fully blown show, so it was good to get a feel again for standing on stage on front of a packed audience, which will help with the ghost story,” he added.

The 20-strong Little Theatre Players community cast has an age range from 14-year-old Maira Lima playing Otis daughter Pam, to 90-year-old am dram doyen Thelma Torr who is a ghostly Vampire Duchess.

Ben Sayers and Paris Mullen play the Otis parents, with Anna Ryan and Alexa Price as Virginia and Wendy.

Other cast members are Attia Law (Jennie), Philippa Baillie (Mrs Umney), Bev Taylor (Lady Canterville), Steve Saunders (Weeds), Paris Mullen (Lucy), Mike Quenby (vicar),  Tony Waeland (Lord Cecil), Paula Hutchins (Mrs Dampier), Janet Hignett (Madame Balaklava), Zak Register (Martin the Maniac), Gilly Kerr (Hester the Horrid), Janet Nightingale (Lady Joan the Graveless), and Phillipa Davies (Mrs Musgrave) and Jackie Overton (Mrs Midwinter) with Hazel Martin as director.

The Canterville Ghost, November 20-23 at 7.30 with a Saturday 2.30 matinee. Tickets £13 from www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com or the box office on 01263 822347.