UNKIND spirits seemed to be haunting this play even before it made it to the Lighthouse stage.

A pre-show announcement informed a disappointed audience that its star - the larger than life screen and stage actor Brian Blessed - had been taken ill.

Unfortunately, even with an extremely capable understudy in the form of ASM Andrew Ramsay waiting in the wings, the production remained spooked.

As the packed house shuffled restlessly in the stalls, the start of this 19th century ghost story's five night run at Poole faced a 15 minute delay while frantic efforts were made to hook up vital communications with the lighting board.

Eventually the curtain rose but while there were clearly both lights and action on stage, it wasn't long before I was wondering whether it had actually been worth the wait.

This is a convoluted and over-wordy adaptation of the Wilkie Collins story which, while relying heavily on thrills and humour, is neither very thrilling nor very funny.

The acting is perfectly adequate and the story of a Victorian actor manager, whose efforts to recreate a real-life ghost story on the stage of his failing theatre leads to the summoning of restless spirits and hidden evil, sounds promising.

Unfortunately the "gripping and disturbing story" promised in the promotional blurb steadfastly fails to materialise.

In addition to the absent Blessed, who is apparently suffering from a chest infection, the cast features familiar TV faces like Elizabeth Counsell from Brush Strokes and Lynette McMorrough who played Glenda Brownlow in Crossroads.

There is also talk of drafting in former Dr Who, Colin Baker, to replace the ailing leading man. I suspect it'll take more than a Time Lord to make this show fly.

The Haunted Hotel plays Lighthouse at Poole until Saturday. Telephone 01202 685222.