You’re the jury in tale of a famed highwayman

Bendigo Mitchell preyed on travellers along the Warwick to Banbury turnpike and the Fosse.

The Slaughterhouse Players will tell the tale of Bendigo and his horse Skater, who got his nick name when he skittered across the frozen pond at Chesterton Water Mill, with Bendigo on his back, to escape capture. The show will raise money for charity.

Chris Willsmore, author and co-founder of the group, said: “Slaughterhouse Players have re-enacted a few trials over recent years, and we’re delighted to be performing in aid of Myton Hospice and the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

“It is also especially significant that we will be performing where Bendigo was tried in the autumn of 1776 when his luck finally ran out.”

The story, called Stand and Deliver, will be told in the original venue of the Assize - The Old Court House in Jury Street, Warwick where Bendigo was tried and condemned. It is said that he was hanged before a crowd of more than 10,000 people in what is now Warwick Sainsbury’s car park.

Members of the audience are being encouraged to dress in the fashions of the time and take part in the proceedings. Twelve of their number, who will be drawn at random, will take their places at the end of the evening as members of the jury, to return the verdict on the trial.

Performances will take place on Sat August 1 at 7pm and on Sunday August 2 at 3pm and 7pm. Evening performance tickets cost £12 or for the Sunday matinee £6. Call (01926) 411694 for more.