The story of Rye’s most famous murder trial was brought to life in the town hall as part of the Rye Arts Festival on Saturday September 20. Rye Players performed Murder Aforesaid in the council chamber to a packed audience, with a further show on Tuesday along with one for students at Rye College.
The play, written by Andrew Mayor, re-enacts the trial of John Breads for the murder of Alan Grebell in St Mary’s churchyard in 1743. Breads was found guilty and hanged, his skull still kept inside the gibbet in the town hall attic, just a few feet above the actors and audience.
The court case played out in detail how butcher Breads had intended to kill Mayor James Lamb, but in a drunken rage murdered the unfortunate Grebell in a case of mistaken identity. Famously he was heard shouting “Butchers should kill lambs!” when apprehended.
Did he get a fair trial? Possibly not as the intended victim was also the judge in the case – as well as the coroner and mayor.
The council chamber was a tight space for the actors playing the lawyers, witnesses and jurors along with court officials. Some eighteenth century legal detail in the script also gave the performers a challenge, but as always Rye Players pulled it off.
A brilliant show, directed by Janet Stott, that gave the audience much more to think about on a Rye story that many know so well.
Andrew Mayor played James Lamb with steely determination to get a conviction. Colin James as Breads convinced as both criminal and victim. Xan Kite’s lawyer John Knowler prowled the council chamber with beady-eyed focus. Susannah Mayor’s disreputable publican and witness for the defence cut through the formality of the trial.
Many of the cast were in the original 2005 production of the play and clearly enjoyed bringing it to a new audience. A really good use of the council chamber too. The real trial may or may not have taken place in the town hall, but either way it was the perfect venue.
If you want to read more about the John Breads trial click on this Rye News article.
Rye Players’ next production is the Christmas panto at Rye Theatre December 12-14.
Image Credits: Rye Arts Festival , Kt bruce .