History Comes Alive at Sessions House Ely

Though the Haunted season has since passed and thoughts turn to Christmas, that didn’t stop the specters of history from appearing before a sold out audience at Ely’s Sessions House on 10^th November, when three trials were recreated in the very court room in which they were first heard.

In a first of its kind event, a team from Oliver Cromwell’s House, led by Nora Gardener who not only researched and wrote the script, but also produced and appeared as the Court Clerk, keeping this rabble of criminals, witnesses and members of the public in order.

There was a mix of fun and serious content, with three cases being tried including the infamous trial of the poacher, thief and murderer John Rolfe, a trial of Witchcraft and even a Body Snatcher. With an appreciative audience and a cast who worked incredibly hard, with some performing for the first time ever, the night was a roaring success that culminated in guided tours of the original cells with everyone being let out to head off home.

“The success of this performance hinged on the cast, the creator, and the audience all of played their parts perfectly. Hearing the court room filled with testimonies, accusations, historical facts and even genuine dialogue from the cases really brought the building and history alive!” said Anna Bennett, Tourism and Town Centre Manager at Visit Ely.