Eugene Aram and the Hermit
The last of the trilogy to be unveiled features one of Knaresborough's most reviled characters and one of its most revered. Schoolmaster Eugene Aram achieved such notoriety in his day that he even came to the attention of Bertie Wooster (he's mentioned in "Jeeves Takes Charge"). Aram's trial for murder followed the discovery of human remains near St Robert's Cave, and in our play the saintly hermit puts in an appearance, nicely coinciding with the town's commemoration of the 800th anniversary of his death.
The play is introduced by Sir Henry Slingsby, MP for Knaresborough, and local magistrate. He is joined by Mother Shipton, who is worried by the disappearance of shoemaker Daniel Clark. She relates her experiments with Clark's footwear: by hanging boots under her petrifying well, she and Daniel have ensured their rock-like durability, greatly improving sales. But the prosperous shoemaker has vanished overnight, having just cashed up at his shop.
Sir Henry's judicious speculations are interrupted by the arrival of a grimy, soil-smeared Eugene Aram, who is carrying a spade and is splattered with suspicious red stains. Mother Shipton smells a rat, and frisks Aram, finding a dagger and a large bag of cash. Aram dismisses her accusations, and points out to Sir Henry that murder cannot be proved without the discovery of a body.
A key witness arrives in the form of St Robert, who leads a quiet life of solitude by the river:
"Throughout the day I chant and pray, in pious
meditation.
And then at night I take delight in my self-flagellation."
The hermit has had a sleepless night, having been woken in the small hours by the sound of screams, followed by the sight of a figure digging a grave. Unseen by the others, Aram hastily stabs Robert to prevent any more revelations. Robert flops to the ground.
Sir Henry calls for a doctor, but Mother Shipton declares that a sip of water collected from the Dropping Well will stiffen his sinews:
"It forms a suit of armour when externally
applied.
And puts lead in your pencil if you pour a drop inside."
St Robert is revived, and fingers Eugene Aram as the man whodunnit. Sir Henry promises punishment for Aram, and the play ends with a celebration of Yorkshire's pure waters:
"Some use the Swale to fill their pail, although
you're best ensuring.
That visitors to Wensleydale don't pour the River Ure in."
The final song is adapted from "The Well Below the Valley":
"If you're getting brewer's droop, you'll soon be feeling cock-a-hoop, At the Well of Mother Shipton. See where the teddy bears, and the boots are dripped on".
The debut performance at Harrogate's Victoria Centre on Saturday, 19th May, 2018 - Betty Lupton's Ladle Laikers Day of Dance. Apologies for the Morris clutter behind! L - r, Mother Shipton: Mark Ellison, Eugene Aram: Dave Williams, St. Robert: Julian Sharpe and Sir Henry Slingsby: John Burrell.
We appeared twice at the Knaresborough 2018 FEVA Festival, but on the first occasion heavy rain forced us out of the Market into The Library which was fortunate as we performed to a capacity audience who seemed to thoroughly enjoy it! It resulted in this rather amusing picture:-
Knaresborough Library, Monday, 13th August, 2018. L - r, Mother Shipton: Mark Ellison, Eugene Aram: Dave Williams, St. Robert: Julian Sharpe and Sir Henry Slingsby: John Burrell.
We were back in the same place three nights later for the launch of "Tales of a Celebrity Hermit" by the author, Peter Lacey to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of St. Robert's death. I wonder whose version of events the capacity audience believed?*!
Official FEVA Photo - Rear of Knaresborough Library, Thursday, 16th August, 2018. L - r, Eugene Aram: Dave Williams, Mother Shipton: Mark Ellison, St. Robert: Julian Sharpe and Sir Henry Slingsby: John Burrell.
Return to Mother Shipton play menu.