A Place in Time

The village of Eyam is both historic and beautiful but its history is less so. A Place in Time is the story of this village set in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire England and its fame is The Black Death of 1665 – 1666. The plague arrived at Alexander Hadfield’s tailor shop in a piece of cloth containing fleas and their eggs carrying The Plague!

The cast in this story impressively conveyed to the audience how the villagers decided to isolate themselves from surrounding communities. The death rate and the impact of families within the community was severe but surprisingly some of the village populations were genetically immune to this deadly disease.

How do you transport an audience back to 1665 – 1666 in a church hall, now a community centre. This was successfully achieved by introducing this story, as the cast, being a group of tourists arriving at the village and then stepping back in time to relive the lives of the villagers. It was not difficult for this cast to represent a close community as it was evident before the show and post-show that they are in reality a warm society with multiple talents.

The Eyam community’s leadership comes from their faith in God and Rector Mompesson. (Andrew Knight) The Rector intervenes to demonstrate “his duty” to prevent the spread of the plague to nearby towns by quarantining the village. He played the role of piety as one who was not popular with the villages as he imposed restrictions allowing no one in or out of the village. A good performance. He was complimented in his role by his wife Catherine Mompesson  (Evie Bell) who was skilled in playing the submissive rector’s wife, persuading the villagers that her husband was a good man and that they should not allow their faith in God to waiver. The cast were observed with Bibles and prayer books on their laps throughout the drama to emphasise their compliance. A simple act but very powerful.

Jamie Main stole the show and played a number of roles that demonstrated his skills in remembering and delivering a variety of narratives. First, he played Alexander Hadfield’s (Robert Hanlon) assistant George Vicars who within a week was dead. He also played William Howe and his starring role has to be as Mary Coopers house boy where he skilfully added “antics” to her dialogue behind her back. This young man is a natural in amateur dramatics and he can sing too. Well done, Jamie.

Mary Cooper (Susan Wilson} lifted the mood with her story telling as a widow with alcohol dependency. She interjected her story telling with giggles and timely sips of red wine and nibbles that added humour to a sombre drama delightfully but not offensively. Following this scene the ensemble performed a rousing chorus of the song Red, red wine.

In any village there is a man who can woo the ladies and Robert Hanlon who took the role of Alexander Hadfield did this by serenading a number of the female cast with the song of Roberta Flack, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. An enchanting performance.

Alternative medicine is a must for ill health in any community and Margaret Blackwell (Jennie Dunn) plays the person who raises questions and doubts the concept of a loving God amongst the villagers. She champions natural medicine and has as her ally a Traveller (Katherine Curry) who will not enter any of the villagers’ households and who herself relies on spirits for protection. Their alliance of an alternative to religious dogma and strict rules enhanced the portrayal of a diverse community with some members of the village being tempted to accept their offer.  The nursery rhyme that we all know Ring a Ring o’ Roses has its origin dating back to the plague. A rosy rash they allege was a symptom of the plague and posies of herbs were carried as a protection to ward off the smell of disease. How fitting for this rhyme to be included.

People do not stop falling in love during a plague and Lizzie Hancock (Jodie Laidlaw) and Abraham Morton (Sean Mwachilenga) do just that but – no kissing. Sean’s confidence in his availability as a suitor and his gentle flirting were fashionable, laid back and impressively “cool.”

Elizabeth Hancock (Geraldine Skelly) is sole survivor within her family and we see her drag 6 wrapped corpses across the stage. By the size of the “mummies” we assume her husband and 5 younger members of the family have perished. This dignified sad scene led us into a chorus where she sang and then was accompanied by villagers. They performed the folk song Where have all the Flowers Gone and aptly portrayed Elizabeth Hancock's isolation as villagers are unable to comfort her in grief. Well done Geraldine, this was very moving.

As the drama ends the tourists leave the village and come back to real time. They perform a rousing chorus of All around my hat, I will wear the Green Willow and were supported by a delighted audience who sang and clapped along. The society are supported by live music and this added to the atmosphere of the production. Soloist Sue Weatherburn has a delightful voice and captured the mood beautifully in pitch and tone.

Lydia Lee the Director and Producer captured this drama and executed it to perfection. A talented lady and I look forward to your next production. Your cast were well rehearsed and a credit to amateur dramatics.

What more can I say this was a memorable visit to see “Such Stuff” and they did not disappoint. Well done to everyone involved.

Footnote - The plaques on the chairs of the actors showing the names of the families who were victims of the plague were a poignant reminder.

  

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