High Barnet drama group’s new play highlights life of Mary, wife of explorer and Hadley Green resident Dr David Livingstone

Daily life in High Barnet well over a century ago has been re-imagined for a new play which looks back even further in time to the years when the Victorian explorer Dr David Livingstone and his wife Mary lived on Hadley Green.

A plaque on the front wall of what is now known as Livingstone Cottage records that he lived there in the year 1857.

Mary Livingstone, I Presume? has been written by local dramatist Claire Fisher who has lived in the cottage for the last 11 years and who believes Mary Livingstone has not had all the recognition she deserves.

Very little has been published about Mary’s life. She was the daughter of missionaries, became a missionary herself and was accomplished African linguist.

Her knowledge of African people and languages was considered crucial to the success of Dr Livingstone’s travels.

Rehearsals by members of the High Barnet drama group the Blue Door Theatre Company are well underway for a production which is to be staged at the Bull Theatre with four performances at the end of February. (see full details below)

The play recreates events in 1913 when some of High Barnet’s well-connected residents decided the town should install a commemorative plaque at Dr Livingstone’s home on Hadley Green.

A grieving widow living in the house, Mrs Isabelle Harrington, played by Brigid Hekster (left), takes an interest in the life of Mary Livingstone, played by Sarah Munford (right).

Isabelle finds herself in conversation with Mary – a storyline which explores the lives of women in different times and places, and which presents a “feminist look at women’s hidden voices”.

Cast members take on the role of residents of the town including a butcher’s daughter, schoolboy and other local characters living on Hadley Green and at Monken Hadley.

A vital prop in the drama is a magnificent Victorian phonograph, a model of which was made by sculptor and artist Cos Gerolemou, seen here with writer and director, Claire Fisher (left).

Cos said he had studied illustrations of phonographs of the era and was impressed by the way they were decorated with acanthus leaves, an effect which he was anxious to recreate.

Claire acknowledged the challenge she has in getting Mary Livingstone, I Presume? ready for its premiere at the end of February.

“This is the first play I have written and directed, and I am so in awe of the cast in giving it their all.

“Many of our drama group have full time jobs and here they are at rehearsals, giving their time to help bring the play to life.”

Livingstone Cottage is a regular stopping point for guided walks and people visiting Hadley Green and Monken Hadley.

Since moving in Claire has been busying researching the history of both the house and the Livingstone family.

She was fascinated by what happened in 1913 when the high and mighty of Barnet decided to put up the plaque to mark the centenary of Dr Livingstone’s birth and record that he lived in the house in 1857.

Claire says she is indebted to the advice and support of Susi Earnshaw at the Bull Theatre and artistic director Siobhan Dunne. 

There will be four performances at the end of February at the Bull Theatre, High Barnet – on Thursday and Friday, 27 and 28 February, at 7.30pm and two performances on Saturday 1 March at 2pm and 7.30pm. For tickets and more information: www.thebulltheatre.com