Paul T Davies: Bury Me in Colchester Mud

By special arrangement, the Mayor and Mayoress of Colchester are thrilled to present a one off performance of the play in another of the battle sites of the Siege of Colchester! St.Leonard-at-the-Hythe at the bottom of Hythe Hill is one of the oldest churches in Colchester and was requisitioned by the invading Royalist Army for provisions, garrisoning soldiers and keeping horses. At the height of the siege, the church was attacked by the Parliamentarian New Model Army and still bears the scars of musket balls and holes in the original door, where the King’s muskets were placed through. This is a unique opportunity to see inside this designated ‘redundant’ church and put yourself at the heart of the action in this site specific performance beyond the rude screen of the church! 

1648 and Colchester is under siege, with the citizens trapped inside the walls of the town. Inside the church, one family battle not just with armed forces, but with hunger, two sons fighting on opposing sides, one pregnant daughter-in-law… and a “witch”. As the siege continues, their desperate situation causes immense emotional hardship for the family, concluding in a stunning and heart-breaking resolution. 

A story for our contentious time from another - and very close to home.

Revived and performed as part of the cultural celebrations of Colchester being granted City status, this new production will be staged in one of the sites where the siege took place- now Colchester Arts Centre! 

“What made this play fascinating to watch… Real people, you could empathise with, dealing with an horrific event which has turned their lives upside down.” (Colchester Gazette review of the original 2016 production.) 

Tickets: £12/ £10 Concession

Show:    2pm