"The Bell Witch," an adaptation of the 200-year old Tennessee ghost story will grace the University of North Carolina's stage from October 25-30.
The performance will begin at 8pm at Studio 6 in Swain Hall at the University of North Carolina. "The Bell Witch" is being directed by Ariel Gratch, who is a Master's student in the communications department at the University's College of Arts and Sciences. According to the legend, John Bell's first encounter with the Bell Witch occurred in 1817, when he saw an animal with a rabbit's head and a dog's body. He claims the animal disappeared when he tried to shoot it. The Bell family reported shortly after the spotting of the strange animal, they heard gnawing and beating sounds in and around their home. Next, the children in the family reported having their blankets and sheets pulled off in the night by an invisible force. Betsy Bell, the only daughter who continued to live at home in the Bell house, was a victim of the Bell Witch's torture, according to legend. Not only was her hair pulled and her face slapped, but also during her engagement period, the Bell Witch spoke to her and her fiancé whenever they were alone together, expressing her displeasure at the engagement. The disembodied voice became well-known throughout Red River County for its quoting Bible verses, singing, describing events that were taking place far away, and talking with the Bell family and neighbors. The Bell Witch expressed a lot of dislike for John Bell and she made it clear that she intended to kill him. John Bell died on December 20, 1820. A small vial of liquid lay next to his body, but its contents were never identified. The family reported they heard a voice say, "I gave Ol' John a big dose of that last night and that fixed him." Guests at John's funeral also reported hearing a disembodied voice singing and laughing. The voice apparently told Lucy Bell, another Bell child that it would return in 1828, which it did, during which time John Bell Jr. reported the voice told him of future events such as both World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Civil War. According to legend, the voice said it would return again in the year 1935. Some people assert it is hard to take a good picture where the Bell house once stood and that you can hear faint talking in the general area. Ariel Gratch went to Adams Tennessee in order to research the ghost story before he wrote a production about it. This event is open to the public. Tickets for the general public are $8 and $5 for seniors and students. In order to purchase tickets or for more information about, "The Bell Witch" production please call: 919-843-3333 or e-mail: [email protected]. Sources: University of North Carolina: Two-Hundred-Year-Old Ghost Story "The Bell Witch" Adapted for UNC Stage: http://college.unc.edu/features/september2007/article.2007-09-27.8703840708 Wikipedia: Bell Witch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bell_Witch
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