The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is a play based on Joan Aiken’s 1962 novel of the same name. Russ Tunney has adapted the story for stage to include the presence of a strong storytelling chorus, which provides ample opportunity for physical theatre and interesting vocal performances. It has been written as a play with music, but it is left to the director’s discretion as to whether the music is used in their production.

Set during the fictional 19th-century reign of King James III, the play tells the story of an England that has been overtaken by migrating wolves, who now roam freely around the country. We follow the story of Bonnie, who is the daughter of Sir Willoughby and Lady Green. We learn that she and her orphan cousin have been left in the care of a distant fourth cousin, Letitia Slighcarp, who turns out to be the villain of the play. The evil duo of Letitia Slighcarp and her sidekick Mr Grimshaw rid the girls of all toys and eventually send them to a Victorian style workhouse, leaving them with the house and money. It is down to the girls to get it all back.