Singers not Sinners
By Livi Michael and Carol Davies
Singers not Sinners tells the story of the first time women sang in a church choir in 1701, in Oldham. A journey often fraught with tensions and cries of witchcraft, as the gently humorous and talented Oldhamers battle to have a voice, and lift everyone’s spirits with their angelic sound.
The year is 1701. Elias Hall, the choir master at St. Mary’s Parish church, Oldham has disbanded his discordant choir and needs to urgently replace the singers in time for the Easter service.
His quest brings him in contact with angelic voices from across the parish, but unfortunately for Elias, the voices belong to women, and women are banned from singing in church. Elias’ determination brings him in conflict with key figures in the parish as he and his new choir risk everything to change the course of history and have women, for the very first time, raise their voices in song during church services.
“We are not beasts, to be stricken dumb – we are singers, not sinners – who can lift up our voices to God!”
”
if women can sing in the hearth and home, I say they can sing to us in God’s house.”
“ ..when have folk in Oldham ever done as we’re told?…”
Sponsored by Morris Gregory Accountants 0161 626 3427
Charity night Sunday 5th June 2022: Save Saddleworth Church (St Chad’s Uppermill) and St Mary’s Greenfield Tickets from alison99@talktalk.net (Alison Coates) and barbarachristopher@cofeinsaddleworth.org.uk (Barbara Christopher)
Singers Not Sinners
Written by Livi Michael & Carol Davies
Directed by Carol Davies
Music arranged by Daniel Hicks &dedicated to the memory of Ruth Dixon
Musical Director: Peter Wakefield
Cast & Crew
Elias Hall ……………………………………………………………………………..Ian Ball
Richard Sugden…………………………………………………… Neil Bamforth
John Taylor…………………………………………………………….Duncan Ross
Jeremiah Bentley …………………………………………………Peter Dignam
Amos Clegg …………………………………………………………………Colin Watt
Thaddeus Vary……………………………………………………….Mark Whyatt
Thomas Butterworth ……………………………………..Addie Redmond
Edmund Newton……………………………………………………..Martin Kelly
Matthew Gartside ………………………………………………… Joe Doughty
The women
Mary Tetlow……………………………………………………………..Verity Mann
Elizabeth Tetlow ……………………………………………Lauren Charnock
Alice Butterworth……………………………………………………………Lisa Kay
Mercy Shaw ……………………………………………………….Kira Richardson
Sarah Bentley ……………………………………………….Alayne Whitworth
Joan Clegg ……………………………………………………Lorraine Reynolds
Abigail Vary………………………………………………………………. Gill Barham
Set design & build ………………………..Carol Davies, Keith Begley,
…………………………………………………………Colin Watt, Michael Clegg
Set painting………………….Verity Mann, Carol Davies, Gill Barham,
………………………………………………. Livi Michael and Carole Moody.
Costume……………. Verity Mann, Susan Lund, Andrea Stavrinou,
………………………………Karen Welton, Jacky Mackey, Cath Bingley,
………………………………………………………..Jan Peel & Pauline Walsh.
Prompt…………………………………………………………… Frank Boocock
Lighting……………………………………………………………….Bob Critchley
Sound…………………………………………..Andrew Mann & Mark Acton
Photography……………………………………………………………Alan Gorst