Pierrepoint: The Hangman's Tale

Synopsis

The most celebrated hangman Britain ever produced Albert Pierrepoint maintained a grim family tradition as State executioner. He put to death more than four hundred men and women, including Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg, Ruth Ellis, Derek Bentley, Timothy Evans and John Christie.. Smoothly efficient and calm, he ended lives without being troubled by their guilt or innocence.

Our Review:

6 February 2013

The harsh lighting of Pierrepoint is the first indication that the play you are about to watch is going to be stark and unnerving; of course, anything which recounts the life of England’s most prolific executioner is bound to be disturbing viewing.

Being performed in the round for the first time, the venue allows actor Martin Oldfield to wander around the stage, sitting with the audience at one point, while he talks about why he decided to resign after 25 years as the country’s leading hangman. Despite his double life as executioner and pub landlord near Oldham -  he attempted to keep his two lives completely separate -  his  chitchat always refers back to his work as a ‘civil servant’ where he was responsible for more than 400 executions until he resigned in the late 1950s.

Oldfield has been much lauded in the  role since it premiered five years ago and for good reason. His deadpan delivery and attempts at humour ...

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Latest User Review

Catriona - 14 February 2013:

Very memorable play which will make you think and possibly review your views on Capital Punishment....

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