THE EVENING Mail covered the dramatic performance by a local theatre company outlining the infamous story of the one of history’s most legendary criminals in 1998.

It was a case of stand and deliver for actors at the Pennington Memorial Hall 20 years ago as the village gave a funny twist to the exploits of a notorious highwayman.

Described as being “A very funny script, some well-loved sings and plenty of skulduggery are on the cards.

Ray Hodgson plays Dick Turpin, the not-all-that-wicked highwayman, with Mike Whittaker as Dame Dollop, Jan Gough as Katy Cuddlesome, Dawn Chojnacki as Billy Bumpkin and Yvonne Athersmith as Caroline.

Kevin Dowdall is Lord Lottaloot, Caroline’s father, Adrian Chojnacki is Parson Goodfellow, Sheila Foote and Neil Douglas and Nick and Nab the comic policeman, Adam Chojnacki and Anne Hodgson are Smash and Grab the baddies.

Iain Harrison is the judge, while Rachel Chojnacki and Ruth Wilson join forces to play Daisy the Cow.

Sue Wilson has directed the show with choreography by Jan Gough and Dawn Chojnacki.

Judith Grantham is in charge of the music.

The real highwayman Richard “Dick” Turpin lived from September 1705 to April 1739.

His exploits were romanticised after his execution in York for horse theft. During his criminal career he had also been poacher, burglar and murderer.

He had been living under the alias of John Palmer and only after being arrested at a York inn did his true identity emerge.

A story of his supposed 200-mile overnight ride from London to York on Black Bess was made famous by Victorian novelist William Harrison Ainsworth.

The audience were captivated by the performances and the story of the infamous highwayman. Turpin’s life of organised crime captured the nation’s historic interest and he was made immortal by books, films and the sense of English swashbuckling daring do.

The company has put on many plays in its history and move are expected later this month.