The following preview appeared in the Swindon Advertiser on Thursday 3 June 2010 and is reproduced and transcribed with their kind permission:

Facing up to ghostly past

Everyone has a few skeletons lurking in their cupboards that they'd rather others didn't find out about. And there are more than a few fighting to be let out in Old Town Theatre Company's latest production, Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen.

Controversy and hidden pasts are revealed as wealthy widow Mrs Alving prepares to open a new orphanage in memory of her seemingly beloved late husband – but all is not as it seems. Secrets are turned into frightening and desperate reality in this 19th Century piece, which was written as a scathing commentary on morality at that time.

And the rehearsal period hasn't been without its hiccups as one of the lead actors had to be replaced at short notice after Pete Hynds, who was playing the role of Jacob Engstrand, was forced to undergo emergency surgery on his ear.

"The funny side to the story is that in a previous production of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist I was cast as Crass but had to drop out. Pete was the one who filled in for me," said Lee, who has been a member of the company for a year. "The play has grown on me and so has the character. I think people should come along to see the play as it is a production from a writer who is not regularly shown in Swindon."

The play is being directed by one of Old Town Theatre Company's most experienced and talented directors, Mike Bull, who the cast say has brought great vision and pathos to an emotive script.

Stephanie Tye