Inherit the Wind

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The centre-piece of the 2005 festival was the staging of this classic of the American theatre written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee.

The play was inspired by the infamous Scopes ‘Monkey Trial’ of 1925.

The venue was St Chad’s Church which for the run of the play was transformed into a Dayton courtroom in the intense heat of Tennessee Summer.

On the face of it, the play is a face-off between Darwinism and Creationists but the real theme explores freedom of thought and man’s natural thirst for knowledge.

The play is a powerful and ultimately uplifting piece which was performed by the Shropshire County Drama Group.

Festival director Jon King said “ It had long been an ambition to screen the film in Darwin Month but to actually stage the play was a dream come true.

I'd like to pay tribute to the professionalism of the whole cast and crew under the inspired direction of Sonia Knight.'

Hundreds of people shared in this very special theatrical event over its four-night run.

INHERIT THE WIND IN REHEARSAL

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Peter Beechey as defence lawyer Henry Drummond

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Joanna Purslow as Rachel Brown lover of the accused, Ken Allden as Matthew Harrison Brady the prosecution lawyer, Malcom Fuller as the judge and (partially shown) Simon Jones as Tom Davenport, district attorney and Brady’s assistant.

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Rehearsals took place in the beautiful setting of St Julian's Church before transferring the production to St Chad's Church for the performances in February. Here are more of the characters in action:

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