A new play is set to blend fact and fiction in telling the story of what might have happened when high art collided with Victorian Preston.
When David Came to Preston is set in October 1893, as the town prepares for the grand opening of The Harris Museum. With royal visitors on the way and dignitaries polishing their speeches, Preston is ready to show off its cultural credentials.
But among the museum’s first acquisitions is a full-size replica of David by Michelangelo – all 17 feet of it, and entirely unclothed – leading to raised eyebrows, muttering councillors and a flurry of national attention.
The play will be brought to life by Preston Drama Club from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 April at Preston Playhouse in Market Street West. While it tells the story of how David arrived and the fuss he caused, it also follows a young girl with a talent for drawing and a man who believes she deserves a chance.
Written and directed by Richard Catmore, When David Came to Preston is described as a fast-paced, sharply comic tale. Richard says the idea for the play came from an unexpected discovery while researching another of The Harris’ exhibits.
“I didn’t know Preston ever had a cast of David,” he said. “Then I came across an article in the Manchester Guardian from 1894 criticising Preston’s Library Committee for moving the statue of David to the upper gallery away from prying eyes.
“I was intrigued and found out more. It felt like a story crying out to be dramatised.”
Although the play was written several years ago, Richard says he was prompted to resurrect it after the long closure and subsequent reopening of The Harris.
Reflecting on the writing process, he said: “I wanted to make sure this incident in our town’s history was first and foremost entertaining. I spent time developing the narrative around the historical details and thinking about the themes I wanted to explore.
“Then it came to creating and shaping the characters – nearly all of these are completely made up. I wanted a range of personalities and backgrounds who might reflect the views and attitudes of their day, as well as some universal truths. And I really wanted a central character, from a working-class background, who shows resolve and single-mindedness, but also needs a helping hand.”
Richard has written, adapted, and directed many plays over the years for various societies, but this is the first time he’s written for Preston Drama Club. Although born in Hertfordshire, Richard moved to Preston – his mum’s hometown – at the age of seven.
“I’m an adopted but very proud Lancastrian, Prestonian, and Ashtonian,” he said. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else – not because I have no imagination, but because Lancashire has just about everything I could reasonably want.”
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By profession, Richard was a teacher, starting his career in Manchester before moving to Lytham St Annes, where he spent 26 years as a deputy head. Since retiring, he gives regular talks on topics including art and literature to groups such as the WI. He also co-founded stage design kit company Theatreinabox Ltd in 2010.
Richard believes the play’s mix of local history and humour will appeal to a wide audience.
“It’s got all the ingredients for an entertaining piece of live theatre,” he said. “There’s a strong narrative, interesting characters with very different attitudes, and a lot of laughs.
“Art has always caused a bit of a stir, hasn’t it? People have always had differing views – and this story really reflects that.”
Rehearsals for When David Came to Preston are now in full swing, and Richard says the process has been hugely enjoyable.
“We’re having a lot of fun with it,” he said. “I’m blessed with a very strong and talented cast of all ages, and a great backstage support team.
“To add to the spectacle, I’ve been really delighted to have Edwin Williams – whose fantastic photographic exhibition is on at The Harris – join the project to produce visually stunning backdrops.
“I can’t wait to see it all come to life on stage.”
Read more: Restoring Preston’s past one photo at a time
To book tickets, call the box office on 0333 666 3366 or visit the Preston Playhouse website.
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