The Horn
"To make it round the Horn wouldn't do us any harm." At least that's the hope of the crew of Bold Riley on their voyage around Cape Horn in 1848. Come aboard and sail under Captain Reeve, a man haunted by his past. As the ghosts manifest, his crew realizes how cursed they may be. How the sounds of the ocean toll different at night . . .
"The Horn" is a gothic horror on a ship that received its first public staged reading at the Chapel Street Players (643 Creek View Rd, Newark, DE 19711) on May 2 and 3, 2026! This is an immersive dive into the torments of regret, arrogance, loss, 19th century sailing, and doubling Cape Horn, one of the hardest treks a sailor can attempt.
Here's what to expect:
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Sea Shanties: The heartbeat of a crew on the ocean.
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Gothic Horror: A "cabin fever" thriller where the ghosts of the past are as real as the storms outside.
If you are interested in learning more about "The Horn," please reach out. But beware, the sounds of the ocean toll different at night . . .
FAQ
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Why are there two different lengths for "The Horn?"
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"The Horn" started as a 10-minute play and has developed into a two-act play. The two-act play is the one that was stage read.
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What is the setting of "The Horn?"
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1848 during the Irish Potato Famine and the start of the California Gold Rush. It starts in Ireland, but most of the story is aboard the ship.
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How many sea shanties are there?
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10 shanties, one per scene.
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What is The Curse of the Bold Riley Trilogy?
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A trilogy of plays that follows the mission of the ship Bold Riley: collect gold from California to ease the suffering back home in Ireland. All three are gothic horrors and are meant to both stand on their own while also telling an overarching story that connects all three. Will any survive the ill-fated endeavors of Bold Riley?
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Sea Shanty Teaser
Staged Reading (5/2/2026)
If you have any thoughts after viewing the staged reading of "The Horn," feel free to use this link to send them along: https://forms.gle/as7XBd137siKh78H8