Fringe Extra Barnstaple – North Devon and Torridge Trades Union Council: The Tables Turned, a Socialist Interlude

We are the North Devon and Torridge Trade Union Council, representing all local branches and members of unions. We are bringing to you William Morris’ only play, “The Tables Turned; or Nupkins Awakened”, which he wrote in 1887.

The characters are larger than life, and the audience takes part – if not in the jury then as revolutionists!

Judge Nupkins rules his courtroom, and ensures that if any rich or well-connected defendant is found guilty, they are given the most lenient of sentences.  Conversely, of course, anyone else – who is not well-off and has no one to call on for a good defence – is sentenced severely.  There is talk of revolution!

Despite the machinations of the noble police officers – Sergeant Sticktoit and Constables Potlegoff and Strongithoath – or perhaps because of their machinations, there is a deal of unrest in the courtroom, especially when our hero, Mr Jack Freeman, is tried and he calls his distunguished witnesses, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Tennyson and Professor Tyndall.

Come and be part of the performance!

Full list of all Fringe Extra, Barnstaple, performances here.