WITH CODS production of "Witchfinder" drawing ever closer somehow the performance dates, April 9 - 14 don’t seem too far away.

Thank you to the many people who have already bought their tickets. If you haven’t we urge you to do so, and to bring your friends. This is a stunning show.

Rehearsals are in full swing and now the children have been added to the cast. All the other elements of the production are being drawn together after a great deal of planning.

There is a real energy brewing as the production progresses, the story unfolds and the action gathers pace.

We left the storyline in our last article as follows ... Roger Nowell, the ambitious magistrate is investigating the "reported" events in Pendle on behalf of James 1st, heavily influenced by his Privy Council.

Nowell is regarded with a mixture of suspicion and fear by the locals, and very soon accusations of witchcraft are at the heart of his investigations.

But here’s a thing, this was a time of ignorance, limited education, rumour and suspicion and the suppression of religious freedom.

If you were a Catholic you could easily be in grave danger. Catholic gatherings for worship took place in secret.

Power and corruption in the hands of an influential minority could quickly be put to use to cast suspicion on those who couldn’t defend themselves.

It was largely from this background that accusations of witchcraft could be used to great effect to set one group against another, to spread fear and suspicion, and to gain control over people fearful of those in power.  

Witchcraft has been a powerful force throughout history, not only in distant places but also very close to home.  

A plaque on the wall of Rougemont Gardens in Exeter recalls the famous Bideford Witch Trials that took place in the assizes held in Exeter Castle in August 1682.  (see photo)

Temperance Lloyd, Susannah Edwards and Mary Trembles were accused of witchcraft. There was precious little evidence and their accusers relied mainly on hearsay.

On August 18, 1682 they were executed in front of a large crowd at Heavitree. Three years later Alice Milland suffered the same fate.  

In fact Exeter has a long and infamous association with witchcraft.

From the reign of Elizabeth 1st to the date of the Bideford Trials, more than 20 women have been put to death for the practice of the dark arts.

It is said that the Bideford Witch Trials may have been the last executions for witchcraft to have taken place in England. 

So somehow what happened far away in the village of Pendle doesn’t seem so far removed from us in the West Country after all.

The story of "Witchfinder" takes the facts and, using a little fiction, puts a human face on a dark story. Through the lives of Catherine Howard, Alizon Device, Captain James Roberts, Edward Sykes, Roger Nowell and others we can live through the events and emotions they experienced. 

The manipulation of the king by his advisors, the deception and treachery of those who sought power, the pain of blatant and obvious injustice, and the uplifting feelings of admiration, inspiration and love. It’s all there in this extraordinary story, highlighted and pointed by music that has the power to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and to bring a tear to your eye.

Don’t miss out, this is a roller coaster of a show. You will indeed see the Devils work. But you will also have to decide, who is really the devil!

"Witchfinder" will be performed by CODS from April 9 to 14, performances at 7.30pm at Queen Elizabeth’s Lower School (Barnfield campus).

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

Mike Palmer