CREDITON Amateur Dramatic Society, CODS, production of the musical "Witchfinder" will run from April 9 to 14.

We can promise you a great show with a strong moving story enhanced by the most beautiful music.  

There’s just one thing, as has been mentioned before ... you probably will never have heard of it!

We are sure everyone will have heard of "Phantom of the Opera", "Les Miserables", "Mamma Mia", "Wicked" and so on. Oh how CODS would love to perform all of these shows one day, when their licences become available for amateur companies. 

BUT, and it’s a big but, as well as these household names there are many shows that, either have taken a while to gain popular public acclaim, or for no apparent reason are undiscovered gems still waiting for their turn to break through. 

Here’s an example of a show that took some time to become well-known.

This musical was first produced in 1919, was re-worked in the 1930 and again in the 1950’s before emerging with its well known title in 1964.

Even then it was five years before it hit the big time on Broadway and thrilled audiences in New York. Its title? Well it was one of the longest running Broadway shows ever, almost everyone will know of "Fiddler on the Roof".

Then there are the shows that haven’t made the big time. We are proud to say that CODS has been bold enough to present a number of these.  

Howard Goodall’s "The Hired Man" was voted the best "off West End" musical of 2012 and CODS presented this in 2001.

"The Bakers Wife" was written by Stephen Swartz of "Godspell" and "Wicked" fame, CODS presented this in 2009.

"Brother Jacques" in 2013 gained CODS a nomination for the best South West musical.

Lionel Bart’s "Blitz", the show he wrote after "Oliver", at one time was the West End’s most expensive musical ever. CODS staged this 2014.

And now we have another real gem for you. Yes, we realise it’s pretty much unknown, but it’s a real stunner.

"WITCHFINDER" is written by Martin Roche and Ian Crabtree. Not a Lloyd Webber or Rodgers and Hammerstein in sight, but my goodness this show gives them a run for their money!

The story relives a tense and dramatic period of our own past, with solo songs and choruses that will stir the emotions and set your pulse going. 

Please don’t miss out! The very real facts of this production are all documented in the annals of our history, and this historic context has been woven into a very human story.

The setting and characters may have been from times long past, but like many of the great stories from Aesop’s Fables to the works of Shakespeare, the plots and the feelings still touch our hearts today. Human nature doesn’t seem to change very much. 

To recap the beginning of the story, the year is 1612 and James First, heavily influenced by his Privy Council, uses the services of an ambitious and power seeking magistrate, one Roger Nowell to investigate the "lawless and malevolent" folk of Lancashire. Accompanying him to the North he sends a contingent of soldiers, led by Captain James Roberts and his lieutenant, Roger Sykes. 

Upon arrival in Pendle, Nowell immediately upsets the locals and in particular crosses swords with Catherine Howard, a strong minded woman who is prepared to speak up for the villagers and her friends.  

Roberts and his friend Sykes quickly get a sense that Nowell has his own agenda, and they form their own opinion that these people have done nothing wrong. 

As they look deeper into the supposed problems, both Roberts and Sykes become drawn to Catherine and her close friend Alizon. The story deepens as these threads unravel. 

It isn’t long before the accusations of witchcraft begin to surface. Ah yes Witchcraft, now there’s a subject that preyed on the mind of most people in the 17th Century. More of this in our next article!

So, as we began this article, is it the really the case? Have you never heard of "WITCHFINDER?"

From deep down in the memory can you recall mention of witchcraft in your history lessons at school? How about one of the most famous cases in our history, the Witches of Pendle.  Now there’s a story worth telling.

"Witchfinder" will be performed at 7.30pm each evening at QE Lower School (Barnfield campus)

Tickets are available from Olivia James, High Street Crediton, or telephone 01363 777968 or go online to: www.codsonline.com  and click our Box Office button. 

Mike Palmer