The spirits of two former York residents, Guy Fawkes and Margaret Clitherow, are rising to share their stories in a brand new play.
Written for York Ghost Week 2026, Remember, Remember will be performed betweenThursday 29 and Saturday 31 October at York Mansion House.
This new production is a collaboration between actors Andrea Mitchell and Hrafn Rìkharðsson who developed the script together using archive material, and Celtic folk musician Olivia Graham, who provides the haunting soundtrack to the two-act play.
Together they have become ‘The Hallowed Guild of Phantom Players’.
Guy Fawkes, leader of the Gunpowder Plot, was born in York and went to St Peter’s School, and the play explores the possibility that witnessing the execution of Margaret Clitherow was a key event in radicalising him against the Protestant English state.
Margaret was crushed to death on Ouse Bridge in 1586 after being found to hide Catholic priests in her home on the Shambles in York.
Andrea said: “We’re thrilled to be telling the stories of these two well-known York residents whose lives overlapped in 16th century York, in the two acts of the play.
“We’ve researched a wealth of archive material to develop the script together and were very grateful to be able carry out some of our research in the Bar Convent library.”
The pair also used genealogy website, Spanish archives and letters written at the time, as well as books including a 1926 publication written about the life of Margaret Clitherow by Lady Lindsey Smith for her husband, in defence of Catholicism.
Hannah Thomas, special collections manager at the Bar Convent said: “We were delighted to help Andrea with her research into the life of Margaret Clitherow, a subject which continues to fascinate and inspire so many.
“The convent has a critical role to play in telling the story of Tudor York, particularly through our fascinating living heritage exhibition, supported by a wealth of information in our archives and library facilities, and we are delighted that the team have been able to use this material to bring Margaret’s story to life.”
Remember, Remember runs from 29-31 October, from 7:30–9:30pm, at York Mansion House, where it will be performed in the State Room.
Tickets are £25 each including an interval glass of Prosecco or non-alcoholic alternative.