According to the Grimsby Telegraph, this production was the best ever staged by Class Act in ten years. The standard of acting, costumes, set and lighting were all highly praised. The sell-out play, based on events known as the Jack The Ripper Murders in 1888, received standing ovations and high praise from audiences as they left the theatre.
Jack – A Nightmare in Whitechapel is a dramatisation of the events that took place in 1888, known as the ‘Jack the Ripper Murders’. This will be another premiere production for our tenth anniversary year. The timescale is real, the names are real but the conclusion you have to reach by yourself!
“THE BEST PRODUCTION I HAVE SEEN IN TEN YEARS”
The packed house on opening night was a good indicator that Jack The Ripper still has the same interest 123 years on, and that audiences were expecting some strong stuff. They were not disappointed. The Class Act Theatre Company presented it’s latest premiere with all the attention to detail and professionalism we have come to expect, but this was a real feast.
With settings and authentic costumes along with some brilliant lighting design, the story of the Whitechapel murders unfolded. The play, very cleverly written by David Wrightam has some unusual twists, and in fact begins on a rooftop where young chimney sweeps are waiting to be picked up by their cruel guardian Jagger, played with some serious menace by Jack Mellett. They actually witness a murder in the street below them and a series of events unfold. Life in the slums of Whitechapel was brilliantly depicted by the actors and special mention must go to the prostitutes themselves, who gave excellent performances in portraying the hardship and suffering of women.
Inspector Abberline and his sidekick Detective Constable Dew, played by Freddie Thomas and Tom Toth, do their best to solve these terrible crimes and both actors fitted their parts so believably well.
Do we see girls plying their trade under the gas lamps in the fog filled backstreets? Indeed we do. Somehow, we knew that he was near. The theatre fell completely silent as his whistle echoed from the darkness and like everyone else I was holding my breath. The production was incredibly atmospheric and special mention to the production team who produced some excellent special effects.
Every actor on the stage made this production, and the standing ovation was thoroughly deserved. It was without a doubt one of the best productions brought to the stage by David Wrightam and this remarkable company.
