Warwick Grand Assizes are back

The Warwick-based Slaughterhouse Players are returning to the atmospheric building to stage their humorous theatrical presentation of an 1814 Assizes, during the reign on King George III.

And with three performances - tomorrow (Saturday) and on Sunday - tickets, the proceeds of which go to the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, may still be available.

Audiences - who will be asked to form the jury and encouraged to dress in period costume - will see Trixie Garrett brought up before Judge Tippler for keeping a bawdy house, Private James Hartley tried for killing a fellow soldier of the Warwickshires and the town drover tried for theft and rape. There will also be the trial of a young girl servant who is accused of stealing cloth from her employer, Warwick socialite Mrs Constance Lebas.

The Slaughterhouse Players staged their first ‘trials’ at the Old Court House last year and audiences enjoyed them so much that the group wanted to do it again.

Taking their name from the local Slaughterhouse brewery, which provided beers for their favourite pub, Simple Simon (now the Elephant and Castle), the group formed in 2005 when they performed The Warwick Play for the first time in that very pub. Now the Players regularly perform it in pubs in and around Warwick.

The Warwick Grand Assize will be performed at the Old Court House in Northgate Street tomorrow at 3pm and 7pm and on Sunday at 6pm. Tickets cost £15 and include wine (or alternative drink) on arrival. Proceeds to the air ambulance. Tickets can be bought at the Oak, the Punch Bowl and the Wild Boar pubs in Warwick or by calling 07973 626409.