Arden Of Faversham

The Arden Theatre is performing Arden Of Faversham on 26, 27, 28 January, 8:00pm at the theatre.

This is a revised, streamlined, modern-dress version of the original 1592 script, as adapted by the Royal Shakespeare Company, based on the nefarious murder of Thomas Arden, Mayor of Faversham, in 1551.

The play is anonymous, although attributed to various writers of the time, including Christopher Marlowe, with possibly some input by William Shakespeare.

Thomas Arden’s wife, Alice, is not only having an affair with local ‘butcher’s boy’, Mosby, but the two of them are planning to murder him, and various failed plots are set in motion. The murder is finally accomplished in Arden’s House, the body hidden in the grounds of the Abbey where it is inevitably discovered, and all those involved are brought to justice – execution in each and every case. The exciting story is coloured by greed, infidelity and violence, while offering a fair degree of comedy.

Arden abounds with local colour; the Flower-de-Luce, Boughton, Rainham Down, Sheppey, Faversham Abbey and grounds, as well as the main setting – Arden’s House, which still exists in Abbey Street, the backdrop for a production of the original version in 2004.

Arden Of Faversham is directed by Kevin Piper, assisted by Mary Caryer. Kevin, who also plays Mosby, has appeared in many Arden Theatre productions. Alice is played by Katie Blythe, Arden by Richard Stone, both experienced actors new to the Arden stage, as are several other members of the cast. Established Arden members are also well represented amongst the cast and crew.