Croome has encounter with its hidden history - The Worcester Observer

Croome has encounter with its hidden history

Worcester Editorial 24th Apr, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

STORIES with a twist are coming to Croome Court as a band of local actors come together to share its hidden history through unique theatrical performances.

The National Trust mansion house will be bringing historical characters to life where visitors can watch ‘Croome Encounters’, a play unfolding stories of Croome’s past through the 1940s and 1970s.

Croome’s local partnerships officer, Rachel Sharpe said: “The performances were a huge success with visitors last year and they are an exciting way of telling Croome’s wonderful tales to people in an interesting and different way.

“The idea of Croome Encounters was developed last year with new actors being invited to audition in front of our visitors, volunteers and staff and after shortlisting nine actors, they were invited to become part of the team.




“So far they have created three distinctive performances called ‘Memories of Maria’ about the tragic Maria Gunning; ‘Minnie and the Jollop’ about the infamous and real-life accidental poisoning of the under butler and a spooky Hallowe’en ghost-hunting saga ‘A Strange Encounter’.”

One of the performances, ‘Croome For Sale!’ is based in 1948 where characters, Bentley, Hobbs and Mytton act as estate agents and show Sister Frances Clare from the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, around the house impressing her with historical stories in the hope she will save Croome Court.


‘The Great Escape’, takes visitors to 1973 with a character called William who is based on the real experiences of some of the pupils during the time the house was used as a school for disadvantaged boys, and plays the part of a new pupil who has arrived at the school, who has no intention of staying for long.

Croome Encounters, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is being performed in the house throughout the day every Sunday until September 27 in the basement of the house at 11.25am, 1.15pm and 2.45pm.

The park and lakeside are open from 10am until 5.30pm every day and Croome Court is open on weekdays from 11am to 4.30pm, except Tuesdays.

For more information contact 01905 371006 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome

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