Programme
Welcome to Mokushla Theatre Company!
Thank you for making it possible for us to entertain you today.
We are delighted to be able to bring you the story of Richard & Rachel Hartley and the other guests and staff from the George Hotel.
"Room 13" and "The Hartley Wedding" were both written and are directed today by Cat Hunter. "Room 13" was first performed in Audlem in 2022 and then in Alsager in 2024. The version being performed tonight includes new characters and scenes so, for those of you who saw previous versions, it's a little different. This is the first performance of "The Hartley Wedding". We hope you will enjoy watching them as much as we enjoy performing them.
Today is about entertaining you - our audience. We do this in memory of Luke, Cat's son who tragically died in a road accident last year, age 19. Cat wanted to create a positive memory out of the tragedy - this was the motivation behind today's shows and they have been a great distraction and therapy to help her cope with her loss.
Thanks you for being part of her healing.
Surplus funds from the productions will be donated to Team Lewis Trust - a local children's charity fundraising for research into treatments for T-ALL (linked to leukaemia) so that we might better understand it, develop new treatments and, ultimately, raise cure rates.
Meet the cast (in order of appearance in Room 13)
Rachel: Ruth Jones
When I was first approached to revisit Room 13 and its prequel, The Hartley Wedding - well there was only one answer. Yes!
Whilst Rachel is one of the most annoying characters I’ve played, I had the most fun playing her. That was in part due to the nature of the script and moreover because of the cast I shared my time with.
However, the truth of why I’ve chosen to be involved with Mokshula Theatre is because of Cat - and the death of her beautiful son, Luke.
When we lose someone we love it can feel that we have lost all of us. However, Cat has proved tirelessly that death can prove to be transformative and creative and Mokshula theatre is her way of saying to her boy that there can be meaning in all the sadness.
I’m behind you all the way Cat/Polly xx
Richard: Stephen Parker-Aiken
I was lucky to be cast as Richard in the Alsager production of "Room 13" in March 2024. I was intrigued by the back story to the play, very touching and emotional. It's hard to think how cruel people really are and how they disguise it. I believe that Cat has done a very credible job in putting her and Luke's past onto paper and now the stage. It's a privilege to be "part of their lives". I hope you enjoy watching the tangled web of lies and deceit.
Polly: Cat Hunter
I set up Mokushla with this fabulous team to honour a memory of Luke that was worthy of his character. In the years leading up to his accident he had fallen into the trap of being an abuse victim. The person concerned for making him feel worthless and no more than someone to be bribed and beaten, was sentenced to a fine and community service with two counts of physical common assault. Although Luke didn’t have to go to court to testify because the perpetrator pled guilty of the charges, the process left him feeling extremely down. Over the months between August 2023 and July 2024, Luke finished college, got himself a full time job as a sous-chef and began to understand that he was a valued member of our lives despite his attacker accusing him of being a drug addict.
Luke was on the path to great success and had dreams of moving forward with his life and putting the past behind him. It was hard for him since as a victim of abuse the question “why didn’t you leave” was asked so many times.
I am hoping that these stories, which were crucial to Luke’s healing, will help others to understand, it isn’t always easy to spot a toxic relationship when you have you heart and soul invested into someone you hope to love.
Adele: Nina Croxton
After playing Adele in 2024 for Alsager Community Theatre I was delighted to be asked back to replay this feisty character! Doing theatre is something that has brought together a lot of people in this play and to be there for Cat during this really duff time in her life there was absolutely no question but to do it for her. It's been a pleasure to be involved with Mokushla and these brilliant plays written by Cat. Luke was so proud of her and this time we are doing it in his memory, I know he would be super proud of her all over again.
Sarah: Sharon Wilkinson
When I watched "Room 13" in 2024 I was in awe of the acting, the script and the meaning behind the story. Cat is an inspiration and a genius how she has brought this to life. When I was asked to take part in "Room 13" & "The Hartley Wedding" with Mokushla Theatre I was honoured. How Cat has managed to put both her's & Luke’s past on paper is amazing. If you like a who dunnit you’ll love this.
Francis: Trevor Hough
I have been involved with amateur theatre for about 8 years now. Panto with Audlem Theatre Company quickly morphed into comedy roles including Lord Soddom in "The final Rehearsal" and of course murder mystery with "Room 13". Playing Rene in ‘Allo Allo’ was great fun as was the role of The Narrator in Nantwich Players' production of "Flint Street Nativity". Working behind the scenes I have stage managed and also co-directed performances at Audlem.
It's a pleasure to be involved in "Room 13" once again. The trials and tribulations of the diverse characters in the original play come to life beautifully in the prequel "The Hartley Wedding".
If you enjoy a good ‘Whodunnit’ then you will not be disappointed with the Director's Cut - a new version of "Room 13". (Not many people actually get this one right!). For those of you who have already seen the other versions of "Room 13", either in Audlem or Alsager, "The Hartley Wedding" is your chance to find out more about those odd folk at the George Hotel.
Inspector Jones: Deb
Early in 2024 I was given the opportunity to play DI Jones in Cat's Room 13. The role was great fun....high points were
1. An audience member announcing, "Here comes Vera," rather more loudly than I think she thought, as I walked on stage. Wish I were anywhere near as good as Ms Blethyn!!
2. Getting to arrest and drag off in handcuffs my good friend.
3. A friend telling me he liked the limp I gave my character....I had to explain that the limp is just me!!
Jump a few months and Cat is celebrating the life of her beautiful son, taken tragically far too soon, by writing a prequel.
I now have the joy of playing not only Vera-like DI Jones again in Room 13 but I also get the opportunity to introduce the more fallible, human side of her in The Hartley Wedding. All the while celebrating Luke.
Jo: Georgia Parker Aiken
I'd watched "Room 13" last year and it was bloody fantastic. So when Cat said that with the help of Luke, she'd written a sequel, I was very keen to get involved. I feel particularly honoured that the character I play, Jo the sous-chef, is heavily inspired by Luke. I love that Jo is light-hearted comic relief amongst the more serious themes of the play. It really says a lot about Luke's ability to brighten any situation and bring a smile to someone's face.
Maggie: Annmarie Thomson
- Drama experience- 25 years
- Humour- Dry/witty
- Favourite food- Chicken Tikka Massala
Gosh that sounds like a dating profile! Ok let’s get onto drama.
I enjoy escaping the ways of the world for a couple of hours a week and becoming a different character in the local "am-dram" theatre that I attend. I had the pleasure of watching "Room 13" in Alsager, which left me feeling inspired and deeply moved. The storyline was captivating, keeping me engaged from start to finish, and it featured a surprising twist at the end that added an exciting layer to the narrative. The play is thought provoking, particularly exploring the complexities of relationships and the hidden depths within them. It delves into how thoughts affect emotions, illustrating the profound connection between the mind and our feelings. I snapped Cats arm off at the chance to be a part of this 2nd time round and hope you all thoroughly enjoy both shows.
Claudia: Rebecca Dutton
I first met Cat in 2018 doing panto in Audlem. She always made us younger kids feel like we were part of the group and wanted to support us in building on our skills.
When I was asked to be part of Mokushla, I was excited to have an opportunity to work with a different team and learn a new set of skills.
This opportunity has given me a chance to explore a different character from the typical panto roles; to have fun with a new script and more mature themes.
It has been an honour to be Claudia and to have the opportunity to work with Cat again.
Who was Luke Hunter?
Our Writer & Director - Cat Hunter
Our Writer & Director - Cat Hunter
Luke was a typical teenager who loved gaming and had recently discovered "bouldering". He had an ear for music: playing the drums, guitar and piano. Unlike many teenagers, Luke also loved theatre and was a strong supporter of his mum's play-writing and performing. Having just completed college and qualified as a Chef, Luke was embarki
Luke was a typical teenager who loved gaming and had recently discovered "bouldering". He had an ear for music: playing the drums, guitar and piano. Unlike many teenagers, Luke also loved theatre and was a strong supporter of his mum's play-writing and performing. Having just completed college and qualified as a Chef, Luke was embarking on his career, working at the Boar's Head, Walgherton. Tragically, on Sunday 14th July he was involved in a road accident where he died. This group has come together (again) to perform Room 13, which was the last of Luke's mum's plays that he watched, and the prequel: The Hartley Wedding, which Luke contributed to the ideas behind the story.
Our Writer & Director - Cat Hunter
Our Writer & Director - Cat Hunter
Our Writer & Director - Cat Hunter
Cat, Luke's mum, wrote Room 13 several years ago and it was first directed by Cat and performed by Audlem Theatre Company in 2022. It was later directed by Chris Lockett and performed by Alsager Community Theatre in 2024.Cat has written many plays and pantomimes that have been performed over the years by various amateur theatre groups.
Cat, Luke's mum, wrote Room 13 several years ago and it was first directed by Cat and performed by Audlem Theatre Company in 2022. It was later directed by Chris Lockett and performed by Alsager Community Theatre in 2024.Cat has written many plays and pantomimes that have been performed over the years by various amateur theatre groups. It seemed a natural way to pay tribute to Luke and his all-too-short life by performing Room 13 again. Cat has said that setting up the theatre group, booking venues and throwing herself into rehearsals with the amazing cast has been a really positive way to help cope with her tragic loss. With all surplus funds raised from the performances being donated to local charities, Cat feels that some good can come from Luke's accident.
Reaseheath Hall has great significance for Cat, Luke and his sisters
