At Teather’s End

Posted by Andy Hamilton - 19/12/08 at 01:12:27 pm

The other night I had an amazing experience; I was in a play. I don’t mean performed, I mean I was part of the play.

The play was a wonder club production called at Teathers end. Unfortunately it looks like it won’t tour as it is specifically written using the space in which it was performed namely the Trinity Centre a converted church just outside of the centre of Bristol. If it does then buy a ticket!

It is set in the Old Market area of Bristol in 1869 described as “A place of vice, poverty and grim hope” a description which would befit old Market today.

The audience gathered outside the old church drinking mulled cider. The doors of the church were slung open, mist bellowed out and haunting Latin choral melodies were heard increasing in volume as a funeral procession slowly proceeded out of the building. Without taking a cue we all followed as we were now active members of the play. We walked up stairs and the true and rather tragic story of how William Pullin was driven to the murder of his best friend PC Richard Hill starts to unfold.

Sitting as if we were in the congregation of a church we then move downstairs to celebrate the forthcoming marriage of Richard Hill. A scruffy looking bloke invites us to the three crowns pub claiming that he is the landlord. We walked down stairs and entered 19th Century Bristol. I was amazed at how much effort and detail had been put into the sets of this place. Everything was made from cardboard and as the lights were low and people were in 18th Century costume milling about the place, pickpocketing, begging and generally having a chit chat (in character) it really did have the feel of what it would have been like – I am sure the smells were very different. It almost reminded me of how Dr Who does Victorian but somehow a little more believable (I guess as their were no aliens). They must have spent hours on this area and even if you miss the play I would try and get in to the Trinity Centre just to see the set.

The play did confuse me at times as events were going on across this small square and you were not really told where the action was going to be. You could stay in the pub, visit the Doctor (who told everyone they had VD) or go to the butchers to name a few. After sinking a few pints and having my pockets picked twice I got a bit of the hang of the play and realised that you needed to listen out for clues as to where the action would be and as in any real life event everyone was going to leave with a different viewing of the events. As a hint though try following the lead (played by Malcolm Hamilton, no relation) who you might recognise from a certain lager advert and also follow the Police man.

I am not an avid play goer, in fact I can count the number of plays I have seen on just over one hand. I would say however, that this was the most moving and perhaps the best I have seen. I would urge anyone in Bristol or even near to Bristol to go and watch it. It really did move me to tears due to the extremely high standard of acting by all involved, the understated yet very appropriate music and the believability of the whole set. Again I would urge you to go and see it, ot is worth seeing just to watch the vicar get carried away with his role and to have your gloves stolen by a hobbit like street urchin.

At Tethers End

15th – 20th December 2008
8pm @ The Trinity Centre, Bristol, BS2 ONW

Book tickets @ the
Tobacco Factory Box Office – 0117 9020344

For more information – Michelle 0777 303 8570 or Nick 07533 633 308

At Teather’s end

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