Mary Ann Milner

Mary Ann Milner lived in the North Lincolnshire village of Barnetby le Wold, she was only 27 when she was sent to the Lincoln Castle Prison for the murders of her mother in law, her sister in law and her niece. Mary Ann was found not guilty of murdering her mother in law, but she was found guilty of murdering her sister in law by putting arsenic into pancakes that she made for her. Shewas scheduled to be executed on the roof of Cobb Hall at noon on Friday the 30th of July 1847 but on the eve of her execution, she hung herself with a red silk scarf in her cell. The public were extremely disappointed and angry as many had travelled from afar to watch her execution. When she was found, she had left a letter of confession, confessing to the murders of all three family members.

Character Profile

Narrator – The narrator leads the narrative. We decided to use a narrator just to guide the audience. Most radio dramas do not have narrators, but we felt that for this piece, a narrator would be needed.

Mary Ann Milner – The lead character in this radio drama. She is 27 years-old and living with her new in-laws. She is obsessed with money, so when she finds out her new mother in-law left her some money when she dies, she kills her and her sister in-law and niece so that she can get all of the money. She arrested and put in prison on suspicion of all three murders. She gets away with the murder of her mother in-law, but she is found guilty of killing her sister in-law. She is sentenced to death, but the night before she is due to be executed, she hangs herself inside her cell and leaves a note confessing to all three murders.

Mary Milner / Mrs Milner – Mary Ann’s mother in-law, Hannah’s mother and Ellen’s grandmother. She is older and very wealthy so she leaves money to her children with the burial society, so when she dies, her children will get some money. Mary Ann learns of this and kills her. During the trial of her death, there is not enough evidence to convict Mary Ann of her murder.

Doctor – A professional who aims to help save people’s lives. Visits the Milner household when informed that Mrs Milner is not well. When he arrives, she is already dead and there is nothing he can do. He also conducts the autopsy on Hannah Tickels and goes to her trial to testify and give evidence that he found arsenic present in Hannah’s stomach.

Hannah Tickels – Daughter of Mrs Milner and the mother of Ellen. She usually a strong, independent woman, but the death of her mother has caused her a lot of heart break and she can no longer look after her daughter alone. She eats pancakes made by Mary Ann and later dies. Before her death, she spoke to her neighbour, Mary Winter, and informed her of the pancakes. This detail was later the reason that convicted Mary Ann of her murder.

Ellen Tickels – Young daughter of Hannah. She is very playful and excitable. She eats pancakes made by Mary Ann and later dies along with her mother.

Mary Winter – The neighbour of Hannah and Ellen. She friendly and she is concerned for their well being when told that Hannah and Ellen are unwell. She goes round with some soup, but instead discovers the two dead bodies. She informs the Police and becomes a key witness in Hannah’s murder trial. Her testimony got Mary Ann a guilty verdict and a death sentence.

Police Officer – Interviews Mary Winter about the deaths of Hannah and Ellen Tickels. A professional who is keen to put criminals behind bars.

Judge – In charge of the murder trials of Mary Milner and Hannah Tickels. An authoritative figure who doesn’t take any nonsense.

Prosecutor – A professional who wants to put Mary Ann behind bars.

Defence – A professional who wants to help Mary Ann to get out of prison.

Jury – Members of the public who listen to the case and make an unbiased decision based on the evidence presented.

Guard – In charge of the prisoners. He is evil and likes to taunt them.

Chaplain – A religious leader in the prison. Tries to brighten Mary Ann’s spirits before she dies. He is the last person to see her alive.

Matron – A nurse at the prison. Goes to see how Mary Ann is before her execution, but she discovers her dead in her cell. She is caring and is horrified by the sight of Mary Ann’s dead body.

Crowd – Riot when they find out that Mary Ann will not be publicly executed.

Cast

Narrator – John Males

Mary Ann Milner – Chloe Edwards

Mary Milner / Mrs Milner – Peggy Reading

Doctor – Jordan Rodrigues

Ellen Tickels – Brigitte Roys

Mary Winter – Mia Green

Police Officer – Cameron Shropshire

Judge – Joshua Pearman

Prosecutor – Charlotte Cooke

Defence – James Archdale

Jury – Sam Orr

Guard – Liam Parker

Chaplain – Andrew Cartwright

Matron – Emma Phagra

Scripts

Mary-Ann-Milner-Script-First-Draft

Mary-Ann-Milner-Script-Second-Draft

Mary-Ann-Milner-Script-Third-Draft1

Mary-Ann-Milner-Script-Final

Location

The location for Mary Ann Milner will be Lincoln Castle Prison where Mary Ann was held whilst waiting for her trials and eventually died.