Black Annis: The Haunted Hollow
22nd April 2023
Categorized Under: 04 characters, Playscripts
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Black Annis is a legendary character from English folklore, believed to originate from the region of Leicestershire, England. She is often depicted as a monstrous, hag-like witch with sharp claws and a taste for human flesh. According to the legend, Black Annis dwells in a cave in the countryside and preys upon unwary travelers or misbehaving children who venture too close to her lair. She is known for her terrifying appearance and malevolent nature, and her name is often invoked to scare children into behaving well. Black Annis is a fearsome figure in English folklore, a cautionary tale used to warn children of the consequences of disobedience or wandering too far from safety.
BLACK ANNIS: THE HAUNTED HOLLOW
CHARACTERS:
SARAH
TOM
EMILY
ALEX
(Stage is set with a dark and eerie forest backdrop, with the entrance of a cave looming ominously in the center. A narrator steps forward to address the audience)
NARRATOR: Welcome, brave souls, to the tale of Black Annis – a legendary witch whose name strikes fear into the hearts of all who dare to speak it. Deep within the shadows of this cursed cave, she is said to lurk, wielding her dark magic and sharp claws against those who trespass into her domain.
(As the narrator speaks, the forest backdrop becomes darker, and eerie sound effects such as rustling leaves and distant howls add to the atmosphere)
NARRATOR: Many have tried to unlock the secrets of Black Annis, but few have returned to tell the tale. Some say she’s a vengeful spirit, while others believe she’s a witch cursed by ancient magic. But one thing is certain – whoever dares to enter her realm must be prepared for the unimaginable.
(As the narrator finishes speaking, the cave entrance seems to emanate a faint, otherworldly glow, drawing the attention of the characters in the play, Sarah, Tom, Emily, and Alex, who cautiously approach)
SARAH: (Intrigued) Did you hear that, guys? The cave is calling to us.
TOM: (Nervously) I don’t know, Sarah. This place gives me the creeps.
EMILY: (Determined) We’ve come this far, Tom. Let’s find out the truth about Black Annis once and for all.
ALEX: (Bravely) I’m with Emily. Let’s see what’s inside.
(With trepidation, the characters exchange nervous glances and take a step closer to the cave, setting the stage for a thrilling and chilling adventure into the mysterious world of Black Annis)
EMILY: (Hesitating) Are you sure we should go in there?
ALEX: (Determined) We’ve come this far. We can’t back down now. Let’s go!
(They cautiously enter the cave, armed with flashlights. The cave is dark and damp, with eerie echoes)
SARAH: (Whispering) This place gives me the creeps.
TOM: (Nervously) Guys, I have a bad feeling about this.
(As they venture further into the cave, they hear cackling laughter echoing around them)
EMILY: (Shivering) What was that?!
ALEX: (Trying to sound brave) It’s just the wind playing tricks on us. Keep moving!
(They suddenly come face-to-face with Black Annis, a haggard figure with wild hair and glowing eyes)
BLACK ANNIS: (With a wicked grin) Well, well, what do we have here? Little intruders in my cave.
(The kids scream in fear and try to back away, but Black Annis blocks their way)
ACT 2: THE ESCAPE
BLACK ANNIS: (Cackling) You children have trespassed into my domain. You shall suffer the consequences!
ALEX: (Trying to negotiate) Please, Black Annis, we mean you no harm. We just wanted to prove that you’re just a myth.
SARAH: (Panicking) Let us go, please! We won’t tell anyone about this!
TOM: (Desperate) Please, Black Annis, have mercy on us!
(But Black Annis’ laughter only grows louder, and she raises her claws menacingly)
BLACK ANNIS: (Mockingly) Mercy? Ha! I show no mercy to those who dare to disturb me!
(As Black Annis lunges towards them, the kids scream and run, desperately trying to find their way out of the cave. The cave becomes a maze of darkness and danger, with Black Annis in hot pursuit)
EMILY: (Breathlessly) We’re trapped! What do we do?
ALEX: (Thinking quickly) There must be another way out! Keep moving!
(They scramble through the dark, twisting passages of the cave, their flashlights flickering as they try to navigate the labyrinthine tunnels. They can hear Black Annis’ laughter and her claws scraping against the walls, getting closer and closer)
SARAH: (Panic-stricken) We can’t outrun her!
TOM: (Spotting a narrow crevice) Over here! This way!
(They squeeze through the narrow opening, barely fitting through, and emerge into a small chamber with a shaft of moonlight streaming through a crack in the ceiling)
EMILY: (Breathless) Look! It’s a way out!
ALEX: (Climbing up) Hurry, everyone!
(They scramble up the rocky wall and emerge onto the forest floor, gasping for breath. They realize they’ve made it out of the cave and Black Annis is nowhere to be seen)
ACT 3
(They huddle together, catching their breath and looking back at the cave entrance)
SARAH: (Relieved) We made it out!
TOM: (Catching his breath) I can’t believe it! That was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced.
EMILY: (Nodding) Me too. I’m never going near that cave again.
ALEX: (Grinning) Well, at least we can say we’ve proven that Black Annis is real, and she’s not someone to mess with.
(They exchange nervous chuckles, relieved that they’ve escaped Black Annis’ clutches)
SARAH: (Looking back at the forest) We should get out of here before she comes after us again.
TOM: (Agreeing) Yeah, let’s go home and never speak of this again.
(They turn to leave the forest, glancing back one last time at the dark cave entrance, their hearts still pounding with fear)
EMILY: (Whispering) I’m just glad we made it out alive.
ALEX: (Nodding) Me too. Let’s never forget the curse of Black Annis.
(They exit the stage, leaving the forest behind, with the moon casting a haunting glow over the scene)
And so, the tale of Black Annis and the brave escape of the four adventurous kids spread far and wide. The legend of Black Annis continued to be whispered among the locals, serving as a cautionary tale to those who dared to venture into the dark depths of the forest. It was said that the cave remained forever cursed, a reminder of the terrifying encounter with the fearsome Black Annis, and a warning to all who dared to challenge her wrath. And from that day on, the legend of Black Annis lived on in the hearts and minds of those who heard the tale, a chilling reminder of the horrors that lurked in the shadows.
The End
AUTHOR: K I D S I N C O
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