Liberty Defended: An Answer to Great Britain, 1774

The Biddeford Historical Society by special arrangement with Biddeford City Theater is thrilled to present for one weekend only, Saturday and Sunday, September 16 & 17 at 1 p.m., Liberty Defended: An Answer to Great Britain, 1774 at the Biddeford Meetinghouse on Old Meetinghouse Road, Biddeford, Maine. This exciting dramatization of the Town Hall meeting that plunged Biddeford into the American Revolution is an original work by local playwright, David A. De Turk (with additional historical revision by Jack Fossett), and is based on the actual events and real people who were part of that decision and debate. Meet Jeremiah Hill and his wife, Rebecca. Jeremiah is a hot-headed Patriot, who is sick of being manipulated by the British Parliament. His young son, Jamie, is fast following in his father's footsteps. On the other side of the aisle is Loyalist George Goldthwaite, who argues red-faced against supporting the rebels – in part because of his loyalty to the King as an Englishman, but also because his job depends on it. These characters, and others, debate the merits in an emotional and riveting town meeting. Join us for a unique immersive experience in which the audience becomes part of this historic Town Hall Meeting, and learns what it means to contemplate going to war when war is not a choice, but it could be the only option. As James Sullivan so aptly proclaims: Ubi libertas … ibi patrias. Where liberty is … there is my country! Performances are on Saturday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. with a second matinee on Sunday, September 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the Old Meetinghouse building on Old Meetinghouse Road, Biddeford, Maine. The same place where the original meeting was held 249 years ago. The Biddeford Historical Society is asking for a $10 donation to attend. For more information, please contact Biddeford City Theater at info@citytheater.org or go to the Biddeford Historical Society website at https://www.biddefordhistoricalsociety.org/Events