Drama ‘fascinating and entertaining’

Our re-enactment of the Warwick Petty Sessions of 1851 was performed to a full house in the Court House ballroom on Saturday April 9th, and was clearly a huge success, with the audience joining in with enthusiasm to boo and cheer as the sentences were handed down. 

The drama, performed by Unlocking Warwick volunteers, students from Warwick University, and some members of the audience, was based on careful research into the town archives and contemporary newspaper reports. All the cases were genuine and many of the words of the police and defendants were those actually used. Two Warwick Town Councillors, John Holland and Richard Eddy, had guest roles as magistrates. 

Cllr Eddy (seen on the right) said, ‘It was a brilliant performance. Unlocking Warwick brought to life a fascinating and entertaining insight into Warwick’s legal proceedings, social conditions and attitudes of the day. The performance also provided a glimpse into the more grisly elements of Warwick’s history such as diseases, convicts serving hard labour in the House of Correction that a was in today’s Barrack Street, or being put in the stocks in Market Place. The court was a form of entertainment for townsfolk and Unlocking Warwick successfully recaptured that, blending it with a snapshot of our history – a dramatic experience akin to a live Horrible Histories for grown-ups. Bravo!’

Cllr Holland (left) said: ‘This was an excellent drama and a lot of fun. Thanks are due to the Unlocking Warwick team. We are very lucky that there Heritage Lottery Fund has supported the refurbishment of the Jury Street Court House. The historic building is now an asset available for both community use and to support our visitor economy’.

Some of the members of the audience had not been in the restored ballroom since it was reopened. It has a sprung oak floor, a fully functioning modern kitchen, disabled access with a lift, a built-in sound system and is fully licensed. The Court House ballroom is becoming a popular central venue for private functions.  (Contact the Visitor Information Centre. 01926 492212)

A sample of photos of the courtroom drama taken by Fran Godwin.