We first performed "Jack the Ripper" in November 2005. Not only did the cast enjoy themselves, it seems that the audience did too, which is why we are giving it another outing. This time, however, we are using the stage and floor space which we hope will bring you closer to the streets of Whitechapel.
We welcome Harry Sanga to our cast and hope he enjoys this experience as I hope you the audience will.
Sophia Kenendy.
Synopsis
The play is a musical reconstruction of incidents relating to the East End murders which took place between Friday 31 August and Friday 9 November 1888. A solution to Jack the Ripper's identify is hinted at, but the play is an atmospheric commentary rather than a historical re-enactment, shifting between realit and artificiality with characters representing "real" people as well as members of the music hall audience and players. They thus have a life within the Music Hall and also in reality. The Chairman also plays the authoratitive roles of Sir Charles Warren, the Magistrate, and the Dock's foreman, while Montague Druitt is also known as Toynbee and plays the villain in the melodrama and the magician.
(Click any photo to see a larger view)
(Click any photo to see a larger view)
The Cast
| Sarah Sherwood | Marie Kelly |
| Paula Keen | Lizzie Stride/Queen Victoria |
| Anne-Marie Lonsdale | Annie Chapman |
| Caitlin Sherwood | Polly Anne Nichols |
| Karis Finnigan | Catherine Eddowes/Frances Coles |
| Mandy White | Martha Tabram |
| Roger Barlow | Montague Druitt/Toynbee |
| Harry Sanger | Daniel Mendoza |
| Edward Lawton | Dinky Nine-Eights |
| Mike Finnigan | Bluenose Stack/Police Seargant |
| Joe Lloyd | Slop Wallace |
| John Newton | Lord Overcoat |
| Harry Sanger Edward Lawton Joe Lloyd | Policemen |
| Tom Lloyd | All other parts |
Production Team
| Director and Choreographer | Sophia Kennedy |
| Musical Director | Ian Sherwood |
| Stage Manager | John Newton |
| Musicians | Piano: Ian Sherwood Guitar: Tony Howard Percussion: Penny Murison |
| Lighting and Sound | Andrew Poole |
| Front of House Manager | Tom Lloyd |
| Programme Sales | Ann Barlow |
| Publicity | Sarah Sherwood Caitlin Sherwood |
| Raffle | Jane Lloyd Cathy Lloyd |
| Bar Managers | George Dutton Noreen Dutton |
Our sincere thanks to Normal Wythenshawe and Keith Phillips for transporting the set and seating. To Sarah Sherwood for her help with publicity, opening her house to us all for music rehearsals and being (as the song says) "Generally nice!"