Blood on My Mother's Apron

by Rachel Leighson

Ten years after Jack the Ripper shook British society to its core, another brutal crime hits the headlines: Amelia Dyer is arrested on suspicion of murdering over 300 infants, including her own daughter and son. Caught in the trenches of Amelia's conviction, Polly Dyer - her one surviving child - must fight for her own innocence...if such innocence is to be believed.

Ten years after Jack the Ripper shook British society to its core, another brutal crime hits the headlines: Amelia Dyer is arrested on suspicion of murdering over 300 infants, including her own daughter and son. Caught in the trenches of Amelia's conviction, Polly Dyer - her one surviving child - must fight for her own innocence...if such innocence is to be believed.

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Blood on My Mother's Apron

Recommended by

  • Ashley Baumgartner: Blood on My Mother's Apron by Rachel Leighson
    “

    I’ve heard the horrifying story of Amelia Dyer before, but never like this, with the focus on Amelia and her daughter, Polly. Unlike how it’s told in history, Polly is not a side character here nor complicit by association. Thoughtful consideration is given to her as yet another victim of Dyer’s abuse. An abuse that festered so because of Victorian society’s condemnation of unwed mothers and children unwanted by their parents. That context is perfectly and hauntingly captured by and felt in this provocative piece.

    I’ve heard the horrifying story of Amelia Dyer before, but never like this, with the focus on Amelia and her daughter, Polly. Unlike how it’s told in history, Polly is not a side character here nor complicit by association. Thoughtful consideration is given to her as yet another victim of Dyer’s abuse. An abuse that festered so because of Victorian society’s condemnation of unwed mothers and children unwanted by their parents. That context is perfectly and hauntingly captured by and felt in this provocative piece.

    ”
  • Audrey Lang: Blood on My Mother's Apron by Rachel Leighson
    “

    BLOOD ON MY MOTHER'S APRON is a thoughtful (and well-researched!) look at a challenging historical figure and, in particular, her daughter. Leighson embraces the complexities of Polly Dyer's life and utilizes a combination of court transcripts and original text to create a compelling story. I was thrilled to feature BLOOD ON MY MOTHER'S APRON and playwright Rachel Leighson on my podcast "Favorite Child"! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rachel-leighson-complicated-women…

    BLOOD ON MY MOTHER'S APRON is a thoughtful (and well-researched!) look at a challenging historical figure and, in particular, her daughter. Leighson embraces the complexities of Polly Dyer's life and utilizes a combination of court transcripts and original text to create a compelling story. I was thrilled to feature BLOOD ON MY MOTHER'S APRON and playwright Rachel Leighson on my podcast "Favorite Child"! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rachel-leighson-complicated-women…

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Blood on My Mother's Apron by Rachel Leighson
    “

    A remarkable piece of historical fiction that plays out as horror theatre. Great roles for women of various ages. I found it thoroughly fascinating to see into the minds of Amelia and Polly. Hope this gets produced. A play with lots of room for mood lighting and sound.

    A remarkable piece of historical fiction that plays out as horror theatre. Great roles for women of various ages. I found it thoroughly fascinating to see into the minds of Amelia and Polly. Hope this gets produced. A play with lots of room for mood lighting and sound.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations
In Order of Appearance:
Note: Evalina can be double with James and Charles can be Doubled with Frederick

EVALINA EDITH MARMON: 20s, female-identifying. Mother of the
female victim, Doris Marmon. A young governess who fell
pregnant and farmed her baby, Doris, temporarily to Amelia
Dyer. Desperate for justice for her baby's death.
(SUPPORTING)
HORACE AVORY: 40s-60s, male-identifying. A renowned criminal
lawyer of the late 1800s. Prosecutor in the Amelia Dyer
case. Determined, brilliant, but not without compassion.
(LEAD)
POLLY DYER (MARY ANN PALMER): 20s-30s, female-identifying.
Daughter of infamous serial killer, Amelia Dyer. Polly was
the only child of Amelia Dyer to survive to adulthood. She
is responsible for Amelia's killer nickname "The Angel
Maker". When she was a child and witnessed the murders of
infants by her mother's hand, Amelia told her she was making
angels for God. History is still unclear as to whether or
not Polly followed in her mother's murderous footsteps. She
was arrested with a baby several years after her mother's
execution, but no charges were ever filed. Extremely
intelligent, traumatized (but suppressed), untrusting.
(LEAD)
AMELIA DYER: 40s-50s, female identifying. The most prolific
female serial killer in UK history. Though only convicted
for two murders, she is suspected of the murder or attempted
murder of over 300 infants over the course of a nearly 30
year career. She was executed by hanging after her
conviction. Her crimes kickstarted the first laws to
officially create a more supervised foster care system out
of the remnants of baby farming. Her daughter, Polly, was
her only surviving relative after two dead husbands and two
dead children. (LEAD)
CHARLOTTE CULLUM: 30s-40s, female identifying. Landlady and
confidant of Polly Dyer. She and her husband, Albert Cullum,
owned the Palmers' home and lived in the same unit. She
testified in the trial, but maintained to have no knowledge
of Amelia's actions prior to her arrest. Incredibly kind and

2

affectionate, but very grounded with a hidden fiery streak.
(LEAD)
DR. JAMES SCOTT: 20s-40s, no gender specifications. An
established psychologist for the prosecution. Progressive,
arrogant. (SUPPORTING)
DR. FREDERICK LOGAN: 30s-50s, no gender specifications. An
established psychologist for the defense. Conservative,
misogynistic. (SUPPORTING)
CHARLES: 20s-40s, male-identifying. Guard outside Amelia's
cell. Oddly kind. (SUPPORTING)

Development History

  • Reading, Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, 2020

Production History

  • Workshop, Theatre Row Off Broadway - BBTF, 2021

Awards

  • Best New Play
    Broadway World
    Finalist
    2021