PECULIAR
PEOPLE
Eastern
Angles
Great
Leighs Village Hall
06.03.1992
Jurors,
first at inquest, then at manslaughter trial, we weighed the
evidence for and against Essex’s Peculiar People.
This
sect, which rejects conventional medicine, was born in l840. The
trial of an elder, whose son died of diphtheria, took place in
Chelmsford Assizes in 1907.
Today,
the emotions of a century ago touch the lives of a young couple newly
arrived from Putney.
This
fascinating four-hander, written by Robert Rigby, had all the
hallmarks of an Eastern Angles production. A local connection — the
farm cottage is in Paglesham, near Rochford, brilliant use of music,
composed by Pat Whymark - the historical back-ground was sung in
four-part harmony, and a solo cello spanned the years and raised the
ghosts — and superb ensemble work from a talented company.
The
fanatical founder of the Peculiar People was Julian Harries. His
conversion and subsequent self-doubt were among the strongest scenes
in a powerful play. He was also the migrant yuppie of the 90s,
searching for certainties of his own. The simple man who watched his
child’s agony was played with quiet conviction by Leonard Webster,
who also put in a lovely cameo as a sinful poacher. The women, strong
in suffering, often doubting their menfolk’s wisdom, were Ali
Walton as Jill, the 90s wife, and Oona Beeson as the mother of the
dead boy.
This
moving and thought-provoking play, directed by Ivan Cutting, is on
the region’s roads for two more months. It’s worth travelling to
see.
archive photo by Mike Kwasniak
