Paul Overton
Writer
Playwright
Songwriter
Featured on
This project focused on the life and tragic end of Alice Elgar, a woman accused of witchcraft in 17th-century Malmesbury. Through research and conversation with well known local historian Tony McAleavy, I uncovered the historical and social context that led to Alice's persecution, examining how fear, superstition, and societal pressures culminated in her suicide.
To bring Alice Elgar's story to life, I wrote The Ballad of Alice Elgar for the "Athelstan to Aldi" album produced by the Long Players and Super Marine. The ballad is an attempt to capture the sorrow and injustice of Alice’s life, using the medium of music to convey the emotional depth of her experience.
In addition to the ballad, I wrote a two-minute play entitled The Death of Alice Elgar for BBC Radio Wiltshire's "10 Tiny Plays About Wiltshire," which aired in January 2023. The play, performed by professional actors from the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, dramatised Alice's final moments, giving voice to her anguish and the tragic end that befell her. My work was one of ten plays selected out of over 60 entries, and I was invited to discuss the project live on air, providing an insight into the historical significance of Alice Elgar's story and the creative process behind the play.
‘Athelstan a United Kingdom’ was a musical production that charted the life and reign of Athelstan, the first King to unify all of England in 924. Set within the historic backdrop of Malmesbury Abbey, the play told the story through music, song and drama.
The production, over four performances, was enjoyed by some six hundred people. The script was co-written with Alan Nixon, an experienced Radio 4 producer and editor, while the lyrics for the production were written entirely by myself. In collaboration with our musical director, Andrew Duncan, the lyrics were transformed into the songs that shaped the emotional core of the play. As the executive producer, I oversaw the entire production, ensuring that our vision for Athelstan a United Kingdom was fully realised on stage (Athelstan: A United Kingdom).
The three songs were central to the story of Athelstan’s life. I endeavoured to reflect the uncertainty of historical records (Oh the Dark Ages); the competition to become king (What does it mean to be King) and the sense of loss at the ending of one life and the beginning of another (The Lady of Mercia’s Lament).
In addition, I sought to capture one of the seminal moments in Athelstan’s career, the battle of Brunanburh, through a chant which involved all the cast (Brunanburh Chant)
Lyrics Paul Overton, Sung by Paul Overton and Long Players, Production Jon Stamp
By Paul Overton
Lyrics Paul Overton, Music Andy Duncan and Debbie Cambray-Smith, Production Jon Stamp
Lyrics Paul Overton, Music Andrew Duncan and Corrie Darker, Production Jon Stamp
Lyrics Paul Overton, Music Andrew Duncan and Corrie Darker, Production Jon Stamp
Based on detailed research and conversations with local historian Tony McAleavy and members of the Civil War re enactment society, The Devereux Regiment; The Shadow Man is the first of three novels based on real historical events in Malmesbury for which I am seeking representation.
The Shadow Man
Book 1
Angel
Twenty year-old Billy’s drug habit, fuelled by the unexplained disappearance of his mother, transports him back into the 17th century and a world of witches, sieges and the search for his mother. Lured into searching for a witch named Alice Elgar by her familiar, drug dealer Angel, and unaware of his own family’s historic involvement in witchcraft, Billy finds himself fighting for his life as he searches for his mother, lost in Time. Caught up in the battles and skirmishes that lead to the siege of Malmesbury in 1645, Billy encounters many of the figures from the past whose actions impact upon him as much as they did upon the town.
2022 was the 350th anniversary of the trial of four women from Malmesbury who were accused of witchcraft, two of whom were hanged. I was approached by the Town Council to write the scripts for two short videos on the subject as well as a town trail, Malmesbury Witch Trials, which enabled visitors to meet many of the historical figures who played key roles in the trial of these unfortunate women. I learnt a great deal from my partnership with Alan Nixon an experienced Radio 4 editor and producer and Tony McAleavy our local historian. The productions were well received in the town.
The video Goody Orchard describes the beginning of a decades long feud in the town which culminated in the trial of these four women in 1672 at the Salisbury Assizes. The script for the Town Trail provides more background to the women’s stories and culminates in a recreation of the trial itself as an immersive experience for the audience.
Over a long career I had the privilege of leading six different primary schools as headteacher. My experience also extended to serving as an inspector and advisor for primary schools in three local authorities; a role that deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the education sector.
Since retiring, I have been able to explore my passion for storytelling as a writer, producer, and lyricist. I have written scripts and songs for the anniversaries of some of the key moments in the history of Malmesbury where I live. Each project not only allowed me to blend my love of history, drama, and music but gave me immense pleasure in seeing them come to fruition.
I have just finished the first instalment of a trilogy of historical fiction novels; a time-skip story set in Malmesbury during the English Civil War, a project that combines my interest in history with a love for imaginative storytelling.
Please get in touch at pd_overton@yahoo.co.uk