A HAUNTING play inspired by the ghost of a little girl and a king turned to stone is taking place at a special supernatural performance at the Rollright Stones.

The premiere of Summer Solstice takes place as the climax to an afternoon of ancient crafts, storytelling and astronomy at the evocative site near Chipping Norton on June 13.

Local writer Marie-Annick Jubé has created the performance in aid of the Rollright Trust, caretakers of the popular heritage site and aims to support local youth theatre.

The atmospheric weathered, limestone forms span nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age development. Legend has it that a witch petrified a monarch and his courtiers. Silently standing as if in testimony to the dreadful deed is the King’s Men stone circle, the Whispering Knights burial chamber and the single King Stone.

“I’ve always been aware of earth-bound spirits,” she said. “Countless people had either seen or sensed a little girl by the King’s Men. Yet there was no history about her. But I was also led by another part of the legend and that completed my story. It is said no-one can count the same number of stones three times in a row and that invoked a feeling of mystery – my favourite genre."

The story follows the fate of an archetypal family visiting the site at summer solstice. The father, down-to-earth builder Tim, is dismissive of myth and mystery. His sensitive wife, Linda, is a psychic, and 19-year-old daughter, Roxy, is an insecure dreamer. She’s seeking an answer from the Whispering Knights as to whom she will marry. The three characters, each with very different agendas, encounter a world conjuring up a ghost, fairies and knights, played by an amateur community cast.

Following the finale the characters all link hands and encourage spectators to follow suit. “I’d like the audience to really feel part of the play and not outsiders,” said Marie-Annick, also a volunteer usher at Chipping Norton Theatre. “Linking hands shows we’re embracing the land, history and heritage which are inter-connected.”

Producer and events co-ordinator Ambereene Hitchcox added: “The whole event is for people to really enjoy the site and get them thinking about what goes on around that monument. I want them to be really chilled and in the right frame of mind before the play.”

The whole event, Summer Stones and Ancient Magic, begins at 2.30pm. Demonstrations of ancient country crafts include bodging, weaving, spoon carving, besom-making and dowsing. Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will be on-site with telescopes to help people learn about the heavens through sun and stargazing. The group successfully nominated the Rollright Stones for Dark Sky Discovery Site status - a national accolade recognising its exceptional clarity for stargazing.

Storytellers are set to entertain with traditional tales and there will be evocative acoustic music. Visitors can also enjoy traditional English teas and cakes and bring their own picnics to add to the laid-back atmosphere.

The play is directed by Lizzy McBain of Under-Construction theatre company. Tickets are available from www.summer-solstice.uk and Chipping Norton Theatre box office on 01608 642350.