Felixstowe: New play to tell history of Bartlet Hospital
Felixstowe Playright Suzanne Hawkes - Credit: Archant
A NEW play recording the history of Felixstowe’s Bartlet hospital and the man who founded it will be performed in the town in July and September, it has been announced today.
The play, In Health And In Sickness, has been written by Felixstowe playwright Suzanne Hawkes as part of a Heritage Lottery grant to ensure the history behind the hospital – being converted to flats – is not lost.
A £10,000 grant was given to the Bartlet Bequest Action Group to honour Dr John Bartlet, the man whose bequest provided the Bartlet Hospital as a convalescent centre for people in the east Suffolk.
Ms Hawkes spoke to many former hospital employees and patients as part of her research.
She said: “I have been inspired by many first- hand accounts and stories from people who worked at the hospital and were patients there.
“The Bartlet has a special place in the heart of the town and the wider Suffolk community.
“The story of Dr Bartlet, the man who left his fortune to found the hospital, is a truly inspiring one – and one that I am delighted to be telling.”
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The play opens at Sudbury Quay on June 23 and is at Waldringfield Village Hall on June 25, St Mary’s Church Hall, Woodbridge, from June 26-27, Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall on June 28, the Orwell Hotel, Felixstowe, on July 2 and the New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich, from July 3-5. There will be more performances in Felixstowe during the Heritage Open Weekend, September 13-15.
