The Ghost of Violet Shaw is a farce set in the 1890s, revolving around the curse. Delilah Bennett, a former actress, is convinced that the ghost of her haunting her home. Her daughter, Rose, a pragmatic medical student doesn’t believe in the supernatural and implores her mother to move on and focus on life rather than death. Rose’s sweetheart, Vic, is eager to meet Delilah and profess their love for Rose but Rose is reluctant to expose Vic to her family’s eccentricities.
When her cousin Edward shows up unexpectedly with a string of gambling debts and murderous criminal, Baxter, on his tail the strange happenings in the house increase. In hopes that he may obtain Rose’s hand in marriage (and the fortune she will inherit) Edward takes advantage of Delilah’s grief and decides to hire a medium to ‘cure’ Delilah of her delusions and gain favour with Rose. He hires Vic (not knowing about Vic’s relationship with Rose) to pose as a medium and Vic gladly plays the part to both to break the curse and get to know Delilah.
What no one anticipates is that the ghost of Violet Shaw is in fact haunting the old house and as the story unfolds, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and the characters find themselves in increasingly absurd situations. The play explores themes of love, loss, family dynamics, and the supernatural, all wrapped up in a comedic and whimsical narrative. Ultimately, the Bennett family must confront their past, face their fears, and find a way to put Violet Shaw's ghost to rest to break the family curse once and for all.
Keywords: Farce, LGBTQI2S, Grief, Ghost, Victorian, Historical, Seance, Occult
First Produced at Neptune Theatre, co-produced with Eastern Front Theatre, May 2026.
Genre: Comedy
Acts: 2
Run Time: 110 minutes
Suitable for students 16+
Content notes: Contains references to grief, death, and murder, and depictions of violence.
Cast size: 5 actors
Male roles: 2
Female roles - 2
Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming roles: 1
Casting breakdown:
ROSE BENNETT: (she/her) Rose is a smart and independent young woman in her early twenties who is studying to become a doctor. She is strong-willed and determined, with a deep passion for medicine and helping others. Rose is skeptical of spiritualism but wants to support her mother in her time of need.
DELILAH BENNETT: (she/her) Delilah is a theatrical and eccentric middle-aged woman who is passionate about spiritualism and the arts. She is glamorous and loud, with a flair for the dramatic. Delilah is a former actress who is consumed by her grief and focused on contacting the spirit of her lost love, Violet.
EDWARD SHAW: (he/him) Edward is a charming and ambitious young man in his late twenties. He is confident and a little maniacal, with a desire to marry into the family for personal gain. Edward is manipulative and calculating, always looking to take advantage of a situation.
VIC: (they/them) Vic is a non-binary and enigmatic individual who is an actor and poses as a medium named "Magnificent Morrigan." They are quick-witted, able to adapt to different roles and situations with ease, and so so in love with Rose.
BAXTER: (he/him) Baxter is a gruff man involved in criminal activities and doesn’t take kindly to Edward blowing him off. He is secretive and ruthless. Baxter is wanted for questioning in a murder investigation.
NOTE: The actor playing Baxter will also play the Mailman and Violet when - in a crazy mishap - Baxter gets possessed by her ghost
"a deliciously over-the-top melodramatic romp that blends Victorian Gothic with French Farce."
-- Ronfoley Macdonald, Our Theatre Voice
"The Ghost of Violet Shaw is two great theatrical tastes that taste great together"
-- Morgan Mullin, CBC Arts
"The Ghost of Violet Shaw is a bit like a cross between The Importance of Being Earnest and Practical Magic (1998) as directed by Tim Burton. If that doesn’t sell you on the play, I don’t know what will."
-- Amanda Campbell, Twisi Theatre Blog