The Play
Detective Ellen Cross is forced to face a previous child abuse investigation which failed to result in a conviction years ago. Is the same suspect on the hunt again? As another local boy appears to become his new prey, the connections to the previous case begin to point towards some darker secrets lurking in the shadows. Investigating the case off duty, and against all advice, Cross must avoid triggering vigilante action from the boy’s emotionally fragile father as she tries to find justice for a family torn apart by tragedy.
The Characters
Here are some details about the characters in the play, who they are, and what they do. I've tried to give as much information as I can without giving too much of the plot away. I've also included the etymology of their names, carefully selected to reflect them as people in the play - although, this really was for my own benefit, and it is unlikely that most audiences would get the references!
David Franklyn (David: from 'David and Goliath'. Franklyn, from "Freeman" or "free man")
David is an intelligent, articulate man, well educated and not afraid to show it. He was accused and investigated for sexually abusing Steven Edwards (see below) four years ago. His name was published in local press, and he was suspended and eventually fired from his job as a Youth Worker. Although the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to move to trial due to "insufficient evidence" the investigation still remains as a note on his Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, making potential employers sceptical of his character. He is a recluse, self-isolating, obsessed with the fear of more allegations and constantly keeps notes of his movements, conversations and daily life. He spends some time every day simply sitting in the local public park just "watching the world go by".
Ashley Edwards (Ashley: from 'Ash' - what is left after a fire. Edwards: from "rich - guard", a guardian, often of the truth)
Ashley is a fifteen year old boy, son of Michael and Rose, and younger brother of Steven. He is a troubled an lonely boy, recently traumatised by his mother's serious car accident that has left her in a coma, and his dad won't let him visit her, claiming that it will be too difficult for him. He has begun to truant school and starts to spend time just sitting in the local public park, which is where he first meets David. He misses his older brother, who moved away to university. Although he knows little about the legal case four years ago, and never met David, Ashley was close to his brother before all the issues came to light.
DS Ellen Cross (Ellen: from Helen, daughter of Zeus. Also, Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. Cross: from being "at/on a crossroads".)
DS Cross was a detective on David's case four years ago, and has always been bitter about not securing a conviction. At the time the case consumed her and resulted in the end of a long term relationship and engagement. She has a strong moral compass and believes completely in justice: when she finds out that David is still in the area and beginning to show signs of past dangerous behaviours she unofficially begins to investigate again. A victim of her own passion and focus, she often needs the level-headed mentor Bishop to guide her, although they don't see eye to eye on all issues.
Michael Edwards (Michael: Saint of armies, symbolic of power. Also, from rhetorical "who is like God?")
Michael is the father of Ashley and Steven. A passionate family man, profoundly angry about the unsuccessful case against David four years ago. He has an uncertain relationship with Steven, who moved out to go to university. With his wife in a coma after a car accident - which follows years of struggling with depression - Michael is clearly not coping with the challenges in his life. He is progressively reliant on alcohol, and although not necessarily an alcoholic, his drinking is becoming more of a problem. Trying to protect his youngest son from the tragedy of his wife's situation, Michael now faces the resrugence of David Franklyn. What is he going to do about it?
Daniel Fletcher (Daniel: the "judge" or "story maker". Fletcher: one who makes arrows for archers.)
Fletcher is an energetic investigative journalist who covered the investigation into David four years ago, and often shared information with Cross. His media coverage of the case was successful in giving David local notoriety, and although he never named the Edwards (for legal reasons) in the relatively small community people quickly made connections between the Youth Worker and the "victim". Fletcher has a 'soft spot' for Cross and genuinely cares about her, and although he is motivated in his career he is not without morals and ethics: he believes in his duty to inform the public, and believes in the need to protect the public from potentially dangerous people, especially sex offenders.
Ruth Bishop (Ruth: "friend" and mentor in this case. Bishop: the "overseer" of others - implicit 'protector' or 'guide')
Bishop is a retired Detective and mentor to DS Cross. She was part of the original case four years ago and although she has moved on herself, she keeps a close eye on her protege. There is maternal sense in her character, and as bossy and interfering as she might seem, it comes from the heart in a genuine caring for Ellen. She is very knowledgable and is well attuned to how the law really works in day-to-day life. Even though it could be seen that she has grown cynical with age, she has also developed a maturity of viewpoint that only comes with experience. Her attempts to curtail the over-zealous Ellen are more about knowing the pitfalls than they are about fulfilling her own pride.
Steven Edwards (Steven: from the Greek 'Stephanos' meaning 'crown, wreath'. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr)
Steven DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE PLAY but is referred to throughout. He was the boy that was allegedly abused by David and has moved away to university. The stresses and strains caused by David remaining in the local area means that he seldom returns, or even keeps in much contact with home. He had joined a Youth Club where David worked when he was 15 and it was there that the relationship between them had begun, and apparently become abusive.
Rose Edwards (Rose: from Rosamund, relating to "protect" or "protector")
Rose DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE PLAY but is referred to throughout. She sank into a depression after the case four years ago and was on a variety of anti-depressants throughout that time. Some anti-depressants have side effects which include drowsiness, and it is believed that, in addition to her constant lethargy, this was the significant contributing factor to her losing control of the car and crashing. Michael will not let Ashley visit her in hospital for fear of the effect it would have on him.