Seven Trunks
A Paranormal Mystery by K.C. Finn
Chester Little Theatre, February 13th, 14th, and 15th, 2025
Digital Programme and Show Details
Seven Trunks: 'Bury and Burn' - Dawn Adams, Lexie Fox-Hutchings, Hayley Warner, and Sophie Kearney, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
Synopsis
As the world around them prepares for the turn of the twentieth century, two intrepid women make a startling discovery in the depths of Sweden’s prehistoric Siljan Ring…
When our protagonists Bee and Ing set forth to explore an ancient meteor crater in the endless forestland of central Sweden, they have little more objective than studying the geology, flora and fauna of the land and enjoying some peace and quiet away from the patriarchal world of late 19th century scientific study. But as their bond together deepens, the two women witness a truly unbelievable sight: Homo Aquatis. A race of human-shaped hybrid creatures that look as though they have emerged from the prehistoric melting pot of nature itself.
Can it be true? Are these creatures real, a figment of the imagination, or simply a concocted fantasy for two bold women desperately in need of escape?
All that remains are the findings in the seven trunks which arrive at the Museum of Ontology in Stockholm. The storyline is structured as an asynchronous mystery as different letters, specimens and accounts from each of the seven trunks come to life before the audience’s eyes, detailing the experiences which Bee and Ing claim to have lived through, and the mysterious events which led them to enter the Siljan Ring, and never be seen again.
When our protagonists Bee and Ing set forth to explore an ancient meteor crater in the endless forestland of central Sweden, they have little more objective than studying the geology, flora and fauna of the land and enjoying some peace and quiet away from the patriarchal world of late 19th century scientific study. But as their bond together deepens, the two women witness a truly unbelievable sight: Homo Aquatis. A race of human-shaped hybrid creatures that look as though they have emerged from the prehistoric melting pot of nature itself.
Can it be true? Are these creatures real, a figment of the imagination, or simply a concocted fantasy for two bold women desperately in need of escape?
All that remains are the findings in the seven trunks which arrive at the Museum of Ontology in Stockholm. The storyline is structured as an asynchronous mystery as different letters, specimens and accounts from each of the seven trunks come to life before the audience’s eyes, detailing the experiences which Bee and Ing claim to have lived through, and the mysterious events which led them to enter the Siljan Ring, and never be seen again.
Seven Trunks: 'The Forest King' - Lexie Fox-Hutchings, Hayley Warner, and Duncan Crompton, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
List of Scenes
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ACT ONE
1: Prologue. July 15th, 1897 2: The Forest By Night, July 15th-16th, 1897 3: The World Of Men, August 6th-7th, 1897 4: The Forest King, July 28th, 1897 |
ACT TWO
1: Entering Their World, August 20th-30th, 1897 2: The Beacon, July 9th, 1897 3: Bury and Burn, September 5th-9th, 1897 4: Epilogue, June 18th, 1897 |
Act One runs for approximately 40 minutes, and Act Two for approximately 45 minutes. There will be an interval of 20 minutes.
Seven Trunks: 'The Forest By Night' - Hayley Warner and Lexie Fox-Hutchings, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
About The Show
“Seven Trunks” was inspired by the Aquanauts exhibition that travels through galleries and museums in Sweden, which writer and director K.C. Finn was lucky enough to visit at Dunkers Kulturhus in Helsingborg in 2022. He was inspired to explore the unsolved mystery of two “lady scientists” who vanished together in the forests of the Siljan Ring, and the possible explanations for the discoveries in their abandoned luggage some 100 years after their vanishing. This dramatisation of the story puts a particular focus on the journey of two brave women breaking out of the shackles and expectations of patriarchal society as they find love and hope out in the wilds. It also seeks to unpick the possibilities for humankind if we look beyond the gender binaries, rules, expectations, and boundaries we have set for ourselves in a capitalistic society, to what would be possible if we were working in harmony with our planet instead of looting it for all its worth.
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Of the play itself, K.C. says “In a time when LGBTQIA+ identities are simultaneously (and rather paradoxically) being scapegoated and erased by right wing media, it’s more important than ever to recognise that queer people have existed all throughout human history, and that we will continue to do so long after this tiresome period of warmongering capitalistic ignorance has passed. Aiming to both entertain audiences with a mysterious story and explore diverse identities and personal freedom with this show was no mean feat, and I hope that whatever you take from it is positive and enlightening in these dark times.”
As for the production process, he would like to add “It has been an absolute delight to work with such a bevvy of talents both on and off stage to bring this show to life with incredible attention to detail, commitment, and atmosphere. What we’ve achieved in just six weeks has floored me, and I am very proud to be at the helm of this crew of delightfully creative people. Chester Little Theatre has once again proved to be an incredibly diverse and welcoming space for me, my team, and my work, and I would not be the man I am today without this club. I continue to cherish my involvement with CLT and would encourage anyone looking to spread their artistic wings to come and do the same. We need you now more than ever!”
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Cast and Crew Biographies
Chester February 2025
Hayley Warner, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Hayley Warner – Beata ‘Bee’ GardeliusHayley is a trained musical theatre performer/actress hailing from North Wales. In addition to obtaining both a BA Hons and a Master's degree in the arts, Hayley has had a fulfilling professional career performing in a wide variety of musicals and shows, including a short tour in the USA. She has loved every minute of working with this cast and is excited to make her debut at Chester Little Theatre. You can catch Hayley's recent recording work here:
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Lexie Fox-Hutchings – Inga-Lisa ‘Ing’ BlomgrenLexie is a Chester Little Theatre regular both on and off stage having directed “The 39 Steps” and “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in recent years. Previous performances include roles in “Birthday Club”, “The Man Who Built The Tin Man”, and “The Transmigration Show”. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with twisted creatures from beyond the human imagination and is grateful to one of them for writing and directing this play.
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Lexie Fox-Hutchings, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Sophie Kearney, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Sophie Kearney – Paeloris, The Shell Creature, Flute OverturesSophie Kearney's acting training and experience consists of hanging out in the theatre bar and crashing wrap parties. Initially being asked to contribute to the music for the show, she thought she'd go to the read through, then thought she'd audition for a couple of the parts, and amazingly got cast. She is thrilled to be making her theatrical debut in K.C.'s moving and thought provoking play. He didn’t pay her to say that. Honest.
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Dawn Adams – Animantis, The Twig CreatureDawn has been involved in theatre since the time of the creatures, or almost! The 1970s to be exact. Having been a member of Chester Little Theatre for about four years she continues to enjoy all roles from on stage parts to backstage and front of house. You can see her next in the March production of “The Tempest” upstairs, and if you’re lucky you might actually see her face this time!
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Dawn Adams, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Duncan Crompton, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Duncan Crompton – Detractisque, The Bark CreatureIf you see Duncan in his costume as the Bark Creature and exclaim "Jesus Christ!" at the sight of him, it won't be the first time this has happened to the poor man! Most recognisable for playing that very role at the centre of Chester Cathedral's 2023 Mystery Plays, Duncan is a member of DTAT theatre collective and has leant his unique physical skills to his role in "Seven Trunks" with great enthusiasm. He did, however, fail to write a biography for this digital programme, leaving the task to his director, so he will unfortunately be chopped up for firewood at the end of the production to make up for this unforgivable character flaw.
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Alex Wight (left) and Andy Fox-Hutchings (right), filming day still by K.C. Finn
Alex Wight – Alex (Video Role)Most recently seen as Richard Hannay - sporting a very handsome pencil moustache - in "The 39 Steps", Alex's previous work at CLT includes: "The Hound of the Baskervilles", "A Christmas Carol", "Contradiction", "Mindgame" & "Moonshine". Alex is currently in his renaissance period, transferring through a variety of facial hair in the search for the one that will usher in the dawn of a new era. Sadly for the world at large, the search continues, and the Golden Age of Alex has yet to begin. Stay tuned for further styles in future productions.
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Andy Fox-Hutchings – Karl (Video Role)Andy got this role through nepotism as his grandfather was actually a shell creature. He doesn't appreciate K.C. culturally appropriating his history like this but until K.C. deletes the photos he has on his hard drive Andy pretty much has to do what he's told. He can usually be found writing and directing at CLT ("Contradiction", "A Christmas Carol", "Made For Me") though he has been tempted to tread the boards a bit more recently, such as this show you're watching right now and in last year's "The Hound of the Baskervilles". He recently started playing Russian Roulette with strangers on the internet in a desperate attempt to feel alive again but so far all he's felt is police handcuffs.
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Steve Lincoln, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Steve Lincoln – Original Music and Soundscapes, Sound Operation, Lighting Design, Technical Supervisor, Erik (Video Role)Steve has worked as a lighting and sound technician on most of Chester Little Theatre's shows over the last few years and has loved working on “Seven Trunks”. He has created music and soundscapes that hopefully take the audience to the depths of the mystical woods where the creatures await. He was also allowed out of his tech box for a bit of acting, in which he sports his customary bandana and is a little indelicate with an ancient skull! When he isn't creating soundtracks or working on sound and lighting, Steve enjoys acting, drumming and going to shows and rock gigs. Oh and he also likes to tap dance with elks.
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Andy Harley-Mills – Lighting Operation, Video Assets and ProjectionsFrom footlight-dreaming teen to master of illumination, Andy's theatrical journey has taken him from center stage forays to becoming the wizard behind the video and technical effects you'll see tonight. After circling Chester Little Theatre like a moth to a flame since 2019, he finally took the plunge into membership last year, and he's discovered his true calling in painting with light and pixels as a projection and video designer. As a founding member of the notorious DTAT theatre group (we'll let you guess what that stands for), he's been known to cause theatrical mischief across the region. He sincerely hopes you enjoy the show, though he can't guarantee he won't blind you with his brilliance.
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Andy Harley-Mills, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Drew Doran, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Drew Doran – Stage Manager, Props, Set DressingDrew joined the theatre in 2024 after discovering that if you hang around with theatre kids for too long, they will eventually give you a script and make you work backstage. You may recognise his spectacular sign holding skills from “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, which he worked backstage on. After discovering he actually enjoyed the chaos of being backstage, Drew is excited to be back as stage manager for “Seven Trunks”!
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Lilian Chapman – Set Design, Set Dressing, Costume Design, Costume Creation, PropsLily is an accomplished costume and set designer whose career spans television, film, and theatre productions across the country. With experience in West End shows and feature films, she brings professional expertise to both costume creation and set design for “Seven Trunks”, and boy does it show! Since discovering Chester Little Theatre, she has become an integral part of the creative team, designing props, costumes and sets for several memorable productions including “A Christmas Carol”, “On Shingle Beach”, and “The Hound of the Baskervilles”. "Seven Trunks" marks her fourth production with the theatre, and audiences can look forward to her creative vision again in the upcoming March production of “The Tempest” in the upstairs theatre space.
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Lilian Chapman, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Hayley Warner holding the Shell Skull created by Victor Martin-Alonso, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Victor Martin-Alonso – 3D Design, PropertiesVictor has lovingly sculpted and painted the two shell skulls you will see in the play. These were produced in one of his four 3D printers (it's not an addiction, pinky swear). In the theatre, Victor prefers to work behind the scenes (where it's more ok to be weird), as a stage manager, but has on occasion stepped foot on stage, such as in “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Them and Us”, or “Contradiction”. He is currently once again on the run due to unexplained fires across the Greater Manchester area, which he claims are Andy Fox-Hutchings' fault, but no-one will believe him.
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K.C. Finn – Writer, Director, ProducerK.C. Finn, also known as Chester’s cabaret drag legend Mr Brake Down and beloved host of the popular Upside Down Cabaret, is returning to his roots as a writer for a series of works in 2025 focusing on highlighting queer histories, and “Seven Trunks” also pays homage to his penchant for all things gothic and spooky. This is his first original piece at Chester Little Theatre since pre-pandemic times, and a return to directorial ventures after 2018’s “The Vortex”. You will have seen him take to the stage most recently in last summer’s production of “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, and he’ll be back centre stage for the April production of “Made For Me” immediately after “Seven Trunks” closes, because apparently there is no rest for the wicked. And for those of you looking at his name and his picture thinking “I’m sure there used to be a young lady here who looked a bit like him… I wonder if he has a sister…” – Surprise, that’s him! K.C. is a proud trans man who is finally in the right gender for the roles he enjoys playing best, and is delighted to have been so loved and supported by Chester Little Theatre during the last two years of his personal and creative journey.
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K.C. Finn, Stephen Cain Photography 2025
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Chester Little TheatreThe cast and crew of "Seven Trunks" would like to take this opportunity to thank Chester Little Theatre for allowing us to fill your studio theatre with the great outdoors, more lights and projectors than it has ever seen on at once, and various weird and wonderful creatures both on stage and off.
Particular thanks go to Keith Long and Paul Sullivan for putting together the Croft House set and realising the vision that K.C. and Lily had for it in a matter of minutes, and to Lisa Miller for being a delightful second pair of eyes on the development of the show from script to stage. We'd also like to thank Sue and Max Harley-Mills for their behind the scenes work in prop research, idea generation and researching images and assets for the video and projection elements. Most of all, we'd like to give our eternal thanks to all the volunteers at CLT who give their time up to usher, house manage, tend the bar and box office, as well as sit on the committees and in the meetings that make all of these wonderful shows possible. |
Production Photo Gallery - Chester February 2025
Images Provided by Stephen Cain Event Photography
Behind The Scenes
Casting and Licensing Information
CASTING
The play is a two-hander with some pre-recorded video cutscenes and some non-verbal physical theatre parts available.
BEATA: female-presenting performer, playing age range 20-40
INGA: female-presenting performer, playing age range 20-40
3 non-speaking roles are available for the 'creatures', who are present at various points in the story. These roles present an interesting theatrical challenge in movement and non-verbal communication and can be played by any age or gender. The roles require performers to be in full body costuming and some make-up throughout the show.
The video pre-record requires 3 male-presenting actors of any age.
LICENSING
After its development and debut at Chester Little Theatre in February 2025, 'Seven Trunks' will now undergo some more redevelopments based on feedback and experience, and is not currently available for publication or licensing at this time.
The play is a two-hander with some pre-recorded video cutscenes and some non-verbal physical theatre parts available.
BEATA: female-presenting performer, playing age range 20-40
INGA: female-presenting performer, playing age range 20-40
3 non-speaking roles are available for the 'creatures', who are present at various points in the story. These roles present an interesting theatrical challenge in movement and non-verbal communication and can be played by any age or gender. The roles require performers to be in full body costuming and some make-up throughout the show.
The video pre-record requires 3 male-presenting actors of any age.
LICENSING
After its development and debut at Chester Little Theatre in February 2025, 'Seven Trunks' will now undergo some more redevelopments based on feedback and experience, and is not currently available for publication or licensing at this time.
