We’ve had a lot of bad news in the last decade, but in February 2023 South London News broke a story that swept the world which wasn’t all doom and gloom…

“It’s not exactly a good news story – it’s a letter that was delivered very late – but it’s harmless. It captures people’s imaginations. They love it.” (Finlay Glen)

Finlay Glen and Lucy Walker found a tiny letter in the stairwell of their Crystal Palace flat amongst the fast-food flyers with a date of Feb ’16 on it. On closer inspection they realised it wasn’t just a few years late, but over a century, having been posted in February 1916 at the height of the First World War.

“So, then we thought we were OK to open it up and read what was inside.” (Finlay Glen)

What they discovered was a letter of apology from Christabel Mennell to Katie Marsh:

“Will you lend me your aid? I’m feeling quite ashamed of myself after saying what I did at the circle…”

It wasn’t clear what the apology was for, but it was obviously never received.

The story was reported from South London to New Zealand. Finlay and local historian Stephen Oxford (of the Norwood Society) were interviewed by German TV, CBS in America, Australian radio, Radio Scotland and the BBC, but at the time they had very limited information on Christabel and Katie.

Since then, Oxford has written an article for the Norwood Review that reveals much more and Good Wolf spent six months devising a show with their community drama group inspired by the story.

Drawing on the letter, interviews with the 21st Century recipients, Oxford’s research and in-depth research of their own, Good Wolf brought the play to the Bridge House Theatre in Penge – less than half a mile from where the letter was delivered – for a two week run in summer 2024. 

It then had an 11 performance run at the Edinburgh Fringe, which fully sold out before the Festival even started! 

Back to Penge for another week in September, a performance at the Croydonites Fringe Festival and now, in 2025 we are presenting The 100-Year-Old Letter for one final performance at The Place in Bedford on July 5th. 

Read more here https://www.theplacebedford.org.uk/shows/the-100-year-old-letter/

Reviews

“It was truly hard to know what to expect when watching a play set around the discovery of a letter delivered a hundred years too late, but Good Wolf People managed to blow me out of the water.”

“I was sucked in immediately”

“Their strong characterisation and friendly personas seemed to metaphorically grab you by the hand as you are swept along in this mystery with them. The hour flew by, and I left feeling like I had not only enjoyed a great piece of theatre, but that I had learnt a lot as well.”

“cleverly written… brilliantly executed.”

“For a production to achieve this non-linear narrative that oscillates between the past and the present, with no special backdrops and nominal accessories is certainly an impressive feat. Equally notable is how the female characters embodied male roles and vice-versa breaking gendered stereotypes.”

“an engaging piece of theatre”