The Bell Witch is one of the most well-known stories of supernatural activity in American folklore. It centers around the Bell family, who lived in Adams, Tennessee in the early 19th century. The haunting began in 1817 when John Bell, the patriarch of the family, encountered a strange creature while walking through his cornfield. This creature resembled a dog with the head of a rabbit and disappeared without a trace. Soon after, the Bell family began experiencing unusual phenomena in their home, such as knocking on walls, objects moving, and strange noises. The haunting intensified over the years, with the entity, believed to be a witch or a spirit, targeting John Bell and his daughter Betsy in particular.
Director Tracey Webb will make this her 44th show for RLC, not including the annual “Flummoxed Fairytales.” She said this performance offers a different message to young audience members than the popular animated film.
Kyla Mitchell of Benton is an art major who performed in the 2016 Fall Play The Legend of Robin Hood and in the 2017 showing of Flummoxed Fairytales. I was cast in iTheatrics Westside Story High School , in New York this summer, and not even Hurricane Harvey could stop me from performing American Idiot with HSMT Conservatory.
The haunting intensified over the years, with the entity, believed to be a witch or a spirit, targeting John Bell and his daughter Betsy in particular. The Bell Witch would torment them, slapping Betsy, pulling her hair, and even leaving bruises on her body. It would also mimic voices of family members and visitors, recite hymns and sermons, and engage in lengthy conversations with John Bell and his wife.
The acting ensemble of the sleeping beauty curse
Disney’s Sleeping Beauty KIDS is not necessarily the exact story I remember, but it follows more or less the same lines. There is a princess, a christening, a sixteenth birthday, a pricked finger, a Sleeping Beauty, a handsome prince, a kiss and a wedding.
The cast of Sleeping Beuaty
Jill Girard and Keith Smith bring the tale of the beautiful princess Aurora cursed by a wicked fairy and doomed to die on her sixteenth birthday to life wonderfully with great sets by Marius Boshoff, great music (Heidi Edeling) and marvellous costumes (Linda Wilson).
Emmanuelle Girard as the Wicked Fairy
The ensemble of actors feature Kieron Harriman (King Stefan, Aurora’s father), Kefilwe Mahlabane (King Hubert, Prince Phillip’s father), Denira Coleman (Queen Stefanie), Noni Mkhonto (Merryweather), Skye Proctor (Fauna), Isabella Snyman (Flora), Emmanuelle Girard (Maleficent), Lara Kleynhans (Nursemaid), Alexandra Snyman (Princess Aurora), Cole Quinlan (Prince Philip) and a host of young actors as pages, goons and the young Prince Philip. They all did exceptionally well, but Emmanuelle Girard as the Wicked Fairy steals the show. There was no audience participation in this one, but that does not mean the young people were not entranced by the whole thing – they most certainly were!
The princess and her prince
The production is fun and upbeat and I enjoyed myself, as did the young people I took along with me as guests for “Take a Child to Theatre” as part of the International Children’s Theatre Day on 20 March. The People’s Theatre were gracious hosts to my guests, making them welcome and providing them with the same sort of goodies that the most spoilt of children in the audience were getting. My warm thanks for this generosity.
The tale of the Sleeping Beauty dates back centuries
The Sleeping Beauty is on at The People’s Theatre, Joburg Theatre Complex until 21 April 2013. The next production will be Disney’s The AristoCats KIDS over the winter school holidays.
Emmanuelle Girard as the Wicked Fairy
The fame of the Bell Witch spread throughout the local community and beyond. People from neighboring towns and even distant states came to witness the haunting for themselves. Numerous eyewitness accounts were documented, including those from future President Andrew Jackson, who visited the Bell family in 1819. Eventually, in 1820, John Bell fell ill and died under mysterious circumstances. It is said that the Bell Witch claimed responsibility for his death, stating that she had poisoned him. After his death, the haunting ceased, leaving the Bell family to live in relative peace. The story of the Bell Witch has captivated generations of people, with books, movies, and documentaries being made about the haunting. While skeptics argue that the events were a result of elaborate hoaxes or mass hysteria, many believe that there was indeed a supernatural entity involved. The indication of the Bell Witch is not only found in the physical manifestations and interactions with the Bell family but also in the widespread witness accounts and the endurance of the legend over time. It continues to be a fascinating example of paranormal activity and remains a prominent part of American folklore..
Reviews for "The Bell Witch: The Possibility of a Rational Explanation"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "The Indication of the Bell Witch" based on all the positive reviews, but I was left extremely disappointed. The plot was incredibly slow and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. The writing style was also quite dull and didn't engage me at all. Overall, I found the book to be a boring and forgettable read.
2. John - 1/5 - "The Indication of the Bell Witch" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The story had so much potential, but it was poorly executed. The author didn't do justice to the plot or the legend of the Bell Witch. The characters were one-dimensional and the dialogue felt forced. I found myself skimming through most of the book because I simply couldn't get into it. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Lisa - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Indication of the Bell Witch", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The author also introduced too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add anything to the overall plot. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. I was left disappointed and frustrated by the end of the book.
4. Mark - 2/5 - "The Indication of the Bell Witch" was a disappointment for me. The writing felt amateurish and lacked polish. The characters were bland and lacked depth. I couldn't connect with them or understand their motivations. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. The book felt like a wasted opportunity to explore the fascinating legend of the Bell Witch. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre and forgettable read.