If you dared to wander through the dark and eerie corridors of Castle Rushen last weekend, you may have come across criminals, murderers, money launderers and the odd witch or two.

Stories of crime, wrong-doing and examples of bizarre and cruel punishments were acted out in the castle by the historical re-enactment drama troupe Labyrinth.

Taking genuine recorded stories from the archives of Manx National Heritage, actors performed short plays depicting some of the stranger tales of the island’s judicial history in an evening of promenade theatre that took audiences all over the castle, long after the doors had shut for the day.

An unfortunate witch, played by Jennifer Davies, was put on trial and unceremoniously plonked in a barrel by a wicked witch finder, played by Helen Jessopp. Mark Watterson, acting as Dr John Clague, a gaol surgeon from around the time when Castle Rushen was itself the island’s prison, told some of the ailments that prisoners suffered during their time in Castle Rushen, including delirium tremens, attempted suicide and childbirth.

Real mugshots were displayed, and their stories told through genuine newspaper articles from the time, with the tales including attempted murder, prostitution and theft.

Recent campaigns for civil rights in the island were highlighted during a mock trial, and the seedier side of the island’s financial industry, particularly in the 1960s and 70s, was illustrated in a funny sketch played by Nicky Beavis and Chris Jackson.

One of the more colourful stories told, taken from the island’s recent past, involved a casino run at the Castle Mona, in Douglas in 1963.

The Hotel’s American owners were accused of fiddling the books and, after a week-long covert operation, the police raided the gaming room at 5am. Along with a stash of money, the police also found a shotgun in what they called ’Pandora’s Box’.

Poor Alan Kinvig suffered the worst fate of all, after being tried by judges from three different eras, including a Viking, an 18th century Bishop and a modern-day Deemster.

The plays were created by the actors themselves, and the event was organised by Jude Dicken and Allison Fox, from Manx National Heritage.

Labyrinth plays are light, dark, informative and fun, said Jude. ’One of the great things about promenade productions like this is that it’s a really brilliant way to learn local history, often in the very places that the events occurred.

’Audiences said the cast got the tone just right and gave wonderful performances each evening, an we’re already being asked about the next production.

’Manx National Heritage would like to say a huge "thank-you" to the talented cast of volunteers who gave so much time, energy and enthusiasm to "Crime & Punishment Castle Rushen", and to the audiences who entered into the spirit of things.’