jack

This play has already been successfully performed at the following:

Kings's Lynn Arts Centre

Wilde Theatre, Bracknell

Norden Farm Centre For The Arts, Maidenhead

Edinburgh Festival 2001

Welsh Arts Council Tour

Wimbledon Studio Theatre

Hoxton Hall, London

Brentwwod Theatre

Ifield Barn, Crawley

Yvonne Arnaud Mill Studio, Guildford

Limelight Theatre, Aylesbury

The Space Arts Centre, London

East Kilbride Arts Centre

Heron Theatre , Cumbria

Riverside Theatre, Coleraine

Coartyard Theatre, Newtonabbey

Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh

Arts Guild Theatre, Greenock

Eccleshall School, Norfolk

THE REVIEWS

FASCINATING TAKE ON AN ENDURING MYSTERY

Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper , Brunton Theatre

Dave Marsden and Pat Abernethy Impress

There was a palpable air of uncertainty in the supper room of Brunton Theatre on Saturday night as the strains of 'Abide With Me' faded and the lights rose on the simlpe set of Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper... Opening on the evening of November 10th 1888 in the office of the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Sir Charles Warren(Pat Abernethy) the world outside his window is baying for his blood, or at least his resignation, following the fifth murder in ten weeks by Jack the Ripper . With the media whipping up a frenzy of rumour and a government in panic over the lack of an arrest, Warren reflects on recent events as he pours over the case files. Offering evocative descriptions of an East End rife with racial and social tensions, the air thick with the stench of slaghterhouses and human waste, Abernethy and his stage partner Dave Marsden - taking on multiple roles -led the audience into the busy streets with intensity and much gallows humour.

Offering a running commentary on the final hours of the poor souls who had their dates with death in scarlet at the hands of Jack, at times this was like watching a 19th century episode of TVs '24' the clock ticking on the final hours of five women who would never have their deaths avenged with the capture of the Ripper. Although not interacting on stage, the combination of Abernethy's gravitas and Marsden's ability to effortlessly switch personas meant the pair complemented each other throughout. While never reaching any conclusion on the true identity of Jack, this was both a timely reminder of the birth of the scandal obsessed British press and a non-sensationalist account of a bleak period in London's history.

(Edinburgh Evening News, 2008 - Four Star Review)

The play was written by Patrick Prior and it was a truly remarkable piece of drama. The women never appear on the stage... but such was the strength of the script that I felt I had met them all.The author's empathy with the poor of the East End shone though and was most moving.The two actors carried the script along beautifully and there was also light relief by the way of music and songs of the time.It was a short play, just over an hour long but made up in quality what it lacked in quantity. At the end of the evening I was no nearer knowing who the Ripper might be, but I had spent an intriguing and thought-provoking evening courtesy of Isosceles.
( Surrey Review)

(East London Advertiser)

The graphic details on Jack the Ripper's horrendous crimes could have been almost too much to take, but this was a very well told tale by Pat Abernethy and Dave Marsden from Isosceles...and along with the music and hymns of the time we were given a real flavour of the East End of London in the late 19th century.

(Bracknell News)

...a dramatic lecture, informative, interesting, well performed...The music of the period, both as background and as the occasional song was excellent, and there were some fascinating titbits of information.

(Surrey Advertiser)

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