Ghosts of Whitechapel by Kate Black-Spence

Co-written by Chris Brickhouse, "Ghosts of Whitechapel" is a well-researched but fictionalized account of the five women who have been known in history only as "Jack the Ripper's victims." Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Catherine Eddowes, Elizabeth Stride and Mary Jane Kelly are ready to speak from beyond the grave and ask you to consider the lives they led instead of simply the deaths...
Co-written by Chris Brickhouse, "Ghosts of Whitechapel" is a well-researched but fictionalized account of the five women who have been known in history only as "Jack the Ripper's victims." Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Catherine Eddowes, Elizabeth Stride and Mary Jane Kelly are ready to speak from beyond the grave and ask you to consider the lives they led instead of simply the deaths they suffered.

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Ghosts of Whitechapel

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend:
    30 Dec. 2020
    “ What a beautiful play. "Ghosts of Whitechapel" follows the five victims of Jack the Ripper as they tell their stories - without ever saying his name. It is moving and haunting and empowering as well, as these women reclaim their lives and their stories. Such lovely work! ”
  • Olivia Lilley:
    8 Jun. 2020
    “ Kate's writing is fresh, action packed, and manages to really fuse the personal and political. An inventive concept crescendos to a surprising and very satisfying ending. This may appear to be a period piece but it is alive as hell. If you're looking for a play about intersectional feminism, crime dramas, and ghosts, look no further. Murder mystery podcast enthusiasts, get on this. ”
  • Ross Compton:
    10 May. 2020
    “ For whatever reason, we are pretty obsessed with serial killers. Making a Murderer's massive success broadcasts this fact loud and clear. That's one of reasons why this play is so refreshing. It dares to take the focus away from Jack the Ripper and instead aim its sights onto the eponymous ghosts, giving those women a voice, and in a way, their lives back. It's a sometimes surprisingly funny and consistently empowering script that you should read now. ”
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These five roles are based on historical, 19th century women. These women were a reflection of their time and place. They were pushed out of their own societies and marginalized by the patriarchy in power. It is important in your casting you reflect your time and community as well. Casting for these roles should be open to all interested actors for whom the character descriptions ignite curiosity. It is the strong intention of the playwrights that the casting team invest time and effort into actively reaching out to communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community and those with disabilities to let them know they are welcome to submit. Diversity of body size, gender, age and neurodiversity are highly encouraged. The only physical requirement is that Mary Jane look visibly younger than the others.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Rhinofest
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    self-produced
    ,
    2019