OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  Brendan Ellis 

• Notes

  Since its original production the play has been rewritten as 'The Women He Lived With' with a reduced cast of three (two women and one man).

• Synopsis

  The West Port Murders tells the story of Helen MacDougal, wife of William Burke who, with William Hare, was hanged for murdering fifteen people in Edinburgh and selling their bodies to Robert Knox for his infamous anatomy school. Beyond confirming her husband's identity, MacDougal refused to contribute to his trial, after which she was attacked and hounded mercilessly by outraged mobs who drove her back to Ireland and possibly to her death. This play, although a fictionalised account of her life, finally gives voice to her story.

• Play Type

  Plays General
  

  Number Of Acts

  Full-Length

Cast size

• Male

  4

• Female

  1

• Total

  5

• Cast Notes

  In the original production, two roles were played by one male actor.

Original Production

• Date of First Production

  09 May 1995

• Producer

  Produced by Blue Raincoat Theatre Company

• Original Venue

  The Factory Performance Space
  

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and promotional flyer. The synopsis and contact information was supplied by the author.