A play by Hattie Townsend

To be performed as part of The Saltaire Festival

Hattie Townsend's play, Schooling Miss Martha is set in Saltaire, 1877, a year after the death of Sir Titus Salt. Martha is a bright girl and loves her work as a teaching assistant at the village school, working alongside Miss Wade the School Mistress, played by Rosie Brooks from Bingley Little Theatre. Rosie's character was a real person who devoted her life to teaching Saltaire children in the 1860's and 70's.  Encouraged by Miss Wade, Martha develops a passion for self improvement but knows that her mother will expect her to work in the family business, a cafe in Bradford. Washing pots for a living and flirting with the customers for tips does not appeal to Martha. She wins a place at Darlington to train as a teacher - but will she be allowed to follow her dream?

Miss Martha is played by Chloe Horsfield and is ably assisted by an eager cast of children from Kaleidoscope, the children's theatre workshop in Bingley's Little Theatre. Saltaire Tourist Guide, Roger Clarke, plays Reverend Cowan who's a bit eager to thrash naughty children, whilst Maria Glot, also a Tour Guide, plays Martha's strident mother, determined to keep her daughter in an apron and at the sink. The cast is also graced by Sylvie Nunn,the piano-playing Miss Tootill, and professional actress, Laura Judge from Bingley who plays Mrs Salt, the voice of temperance and reason. Laura has appeared on TV in Emmerdale and The Chase.

Support the cast and enjoy the play! Tickets are available from The Tourist Information Centre on Victoria Road in Saltaire, telephone 01274 774993. It's this Saturday and Sunday.

Read more about the history behind the play >
The Kaleidoscope cast >
Acknowledgements >
See the images >

The Kaleidoscope group of Bingley Little Theatre