For more than 130 years, people from all walks of life have been fascinated by the story of Jack the Ripper.
His 1888 autumn of terror is believed to have resulted in the deaths of five women. Ever since then, there’ve been countless theories about the serial killer’s identity: Queen Victoria’s grandson Prince Albert Victor and the author Lewis Carroll are two of the more outrageous suggestions.
Recent developments in DNA imply that Aaron Kominski, an immigrant born in Poland who was said to be a barber, was Jack, although this proposition has also been challenged.
In 2007, John Goodrum from Rumpus Theatre Company wrote The Ripper Files! which delves into the murders and comes up with a unique take on Jack’s notorious exploits. The production is back on the road in 2025.
But how do you depict on stage the gruesome deaths of five women who were savagely killed, some with their wombs removed and intestines draped over their shoulders?
Goodrum has chosen to present the facts in the form of a lecture. It’s presented by Charles Lestrange, formerly a detective inspector in the London Metropolitan Police, who is ably assisted by Samuel Edwards, who used to be a detective constable, and Elsie Fordham, a rising star of the musical hall stage.
The time is 1901, and the lecture allows Lestrange to present a “ghoulish entertainment” outlining the events from 13 years previously for the audience’s “delectation and delight”.
The opening section establishes how tough life was for many people in Whitechapel in the late 19th century, leading to divorced or separated women having to resort to sex work so that they could buy food and drink. The audience also gets to hear about Lestrange’s personal life and how even in those days police officers didn’t spend much time at home because they were trying to catch criminals.
The first half is quite wordy, but David Gilbrook gives an astonishing performance as Lestrange. He injects plenty of light and shade into the role so that you believe he could solve crimes despite being slightly eccentric. He shows compassion for the victims without making a moral judgement about their lifestyle and reveals his determination to unmask Jack the Ripper despite few clues as to his identity.
Rumpus newcomer Mark Pearce gives a thrilling performance, not only as the slightly dim Constable Edwards but also as a number of other characters. His portrayal of a man who wrote letters to a news agency purporting to be the killer is especially chilling.
Similarly, Sarah Wynne Kordas catches the eye as Elsie and others. She excels as Catherine Eddowes, victim number four whose predilection for drink and attraction to men leads to her horrific demise.
Goodrum directs The Ripper Files!, which has a simple black and blood-red set, with his customary skill. And I defy anyone to guess how the play ends. You might notice an odd clue which seems casually dropped in during the second half—but that isn’t the whole story. The final twist will leave you gasping at its ingenuity and unexpectedness.
The Ripper Files! is now taking a break, with the tour resuming in September.