Report by Jono Oates:-
'A lovely, sunny October afternoon watching an open-air performance on the Market Square of the story of George Fox, who came to Lichfield in 1651, when he walked round the city’s streets proclaiming ‘Woe to the Bloody City of Lichfield’!
Despite this insult, George went on to form the Society of Friends, or Quakers.
The painting of George Fox walking the streets of Lichfield, by Robert Spence, hangs in the cafe area of the Hub of St Mary’s.
A large crowd enjoyed the performance which was historically interesting as well as funny, especially when Barnaby Walters, as George Fox, started shouting out ‘Woe to the Bloody City of Lichfield’ to bemused passers-by!
The play was written by Berry Dicker, directed by David Titley and also featured Lichfield Town Crier Adrian Holmes.'
Writer Berry Dicker says, “I hope the event will be a fitting celebration of the development of Quakerism and what early Quakers endured, also that people will enjoy it as well as learning something. In many ways George Fox was ahead of his time. He expressed views that are accepted today – that religion is a personal thing, that peace and equality matter, and the movement from the beginning included women preachers. No one really knows why Fox had his vision and saw Lichfield running with blood – it may have been a reference to martyrdoms in the city – but it is commemorated as a significant event in the history of Lichfield."
Penned especially for the anniversary by a local writer Berry Dicker and directed by well known Lichfield director, David Titley, the drama centres on the actions of George Fox, a dissident and vocal religious activist, who famously visited Lichfield after being released from Derby prison. The impact Fox's visit had on Lichfield is commemorated by a plaque in Market Square and a painting currently hanging in The Hub at St Mary's.
Fox had been locked up in Derby jail for expressing views that went against the religious teachings of the time. He believed that individuals could have a direct relationship with God and did not need to be part of the established church. There was also much opposition to 'tithing' – the expectation that parishioners would give a tenth of their income to the church.
On his travels after release from prison Fox spotted the spires of Lichfield cathedral from a distance and was seized by a compulsion to visit the city and preach. He made his way over open countryside, astonishing local shepherds by stopping to give them his shoes. As a shoeless Fox entered the city he had a vision in which the streets were running with the blood of martyrs, and he cried out “Woe to the bloody city of Lichfield!"
Instead of silencing and shunning him, the people of Lichfield reacted with concern and kindness over Fox's mental and physical condition following his long incarceration. He later questioned why he had denounced Lichfield and wondered if the death of martyrs there had affected him.
George Fox was played by actor Barnaby Waters, who is himself a Quaker, other parts are played by local amateur actors. Adrian Holmes, Lichfield's town crier plays the role of a town crier at the play's opening. Barnaby said: “I did have some trepidation at marching into a strange town and bringing a divine warning to it's residents but after some practice with the cast I am quite looking forward to it."