The community of Kilmington is planning to stage a new play about dastardly events of over 450 years ago.

The community play, due to be performed in the churchyard on September 18 and 19, will raise money for the village church. Volunteer actors and stagehands are being sought, plus a digital media manager, a PR manager, a sign maker and people to provide Tudor music, food and drink stalls, horses and riders and accommodation.

In 1557, towards the end of Mary’s reign, Charles, Lord Stourton was hanged with four followers for the cold-blooded murders of 65-year-old William Hartgill and his son John. Charles was a violent and troubled man. He rustled cattle, killed livestock, stole crops and mistreated local men and women. His thuggery had its roots in the belief he had been unjustly deprived of his inheritance. Claiming she was the main beneficiary of the will, his dead father’s mistress lived in Stourton Castle (which predated Stourhead House) whilst his widowed mother lived with the Hartgills in The Manor in Kilmington.

The Hartgills were no saints but William was at one time an MP and held local high office.
For his many acts against the Hartgills, Charles was fined, imprisoned in London but then released. He returned to meet the Hartgills, supposedly to settle his debts. Instead, he seized them outside Kilmington Church, had them beaten to death and then buried under Stourton Castle. For these crimes Charles was arrested, tried and sentenced to death.

David Shirreff, a London-based playwright has written the play. There is a part for everyone in this compelling drama, much fun to be had and much to be done.
 Electronic casting is about to start so that by June live rehearsals can begin. The play will be staged in late September.

Contact Peter Booth at info@murdermostfoul.co or go to murdermostfoul.co.

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