The short life and harrowing death of murdered mum Samantha Madgin is to be played out on stage.
Samantha, from Wallsend, was just 18 years old when she was stabbed to death by teen killer Jordan Jobson just weeks after giving birth to son Callum. Jobson, who was just 15 years old at the time, was convicted of murder and jailed for life.
Since Samantha’s death, in 2007, her loved ones have devoted their lives to educating young people about the dangers of carrying knives. Since establishing the organisation Samantha’s Legacy, Samantha’s mum Alison Madgin and sister Carly Barrett have delivered workshops to hundreds of children in schools across the North East in a bid to help stop more lived being claimed.
And now they are preparing to see Samantha’s story brought to life on stage in a powerful new play entitled “Our Sam”. Produced by Wallsend-based company Wild Roses Theatre Group the play will premiere in the town later this month.
Today Alison has told the Chronicle how the production will allow Samantha’s voice to be heard for the first time since she died. And the 59-year-old has revealed that she has even given some of her daughter’s clothes to the actor playing her to help with the show’s authenticity.
Samantha Madgin
(Image: Roland Leon)
Alison said: “It’s a way of Samantha getting her voice across. This is a chance for her to be heard. They are even wearing some of Samantha’s clothes. They have been there for 17 years and I brought them out. That makes it even more real.
“It’s aimed at young people and it’s as true to life as it can be. Hopefully it will change people’s mindsets. I hope seeing it live on stage will be more powerful than just talking about it.”
Work on Our Sam began after Wild Roses contacted Samantha’s family to ask about the possibility of turning Samantha’s story into a play. Writer and director Donna Peat worked closely with Samantha’s Legacy when putting the show together.
Jordan Jobson who killed Samantha Madgin
(Image: handout)
“Wild Roses approached us,” Alison explained. “They wanted to do a true life story in a play. We said yes straight away. Me and Carly have always thought about it.”
Our Sam tells the story of Samantha’s life, from growing up with her close family in Wallsend, to becoming a mum at the age of 18 and her death and the devastating impact it had on her loved ones and the wider community. And Alison admits that helping
“It portrays us as a young happy family,” Alison explained. “We go through the stage when she becomes pregnant and how she deals with that. There’s a lot of laughs and a lot of tears. I haven’t seen it all the way through yet.”
Donna, set-up Wild Roses after lockdown with the aim of running a theatre company that could tackle taboo subjects such as knife crime and domestic violence.
The 50-year-old, from Wallsend, told the Chronicle that telling Samantha’s story was a huge responsibility.
Samantha’s mum Alison Madgin watches the rehearsals
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
“I always wanted to do a knife crime play because of Samantha,” she said. “Not only did it affect Alison and her family, it affected the whole community. Everybody knows the family and loves the family. It is something the community has never got over.
“It’s a very very powerful play. It starts off quite fun at first, then we just see the trauma after Samantha’s death. I don’t think there will be a dry eye in the house. I felt a lot of responsibility writing it because Alison is someone I respect.”
Donna explained that she worked with Alison on the scripts in short bursts to lessen the emotional toll retelling the story of Samantha’s death would have on both of them.
“It’s been hard to tackle because I had to take Alison through everything,” she said. “We did it in short intervals. For six months I was up and down. It’s been the hardest play I have ever had to write. It’s been really hard but I’m very proud of it. And the actors are amazing.”
The cast of Our Sam is made up of professional actors and drama students from Gateshead College. Student Ruby Wilson has been cast in the role of Samantha.
Ruby Wilson who is playing the role of Samantha Madgin
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
And Donna said having Samantha’s clothes has helped the cast in their preparation.
“We are going to use some of the real life clothes to help to help actors get into their character and get a feel for them,” said Donna. “We have got a lot of real stuff from Alison’s house.”
Samantha was had been enjoying her first night out since giving birth to son Callum when she fatally crossed paths with 15-year-old Jordon Jobson, who she had never met before.
The killer, who had been drinking vodka and taking cocaine, armed herself with a knife after a disturbance broke out in an alleyway, Newcastle Crown Court was told. Jobson stabbed unarmed Samantha multiple times in the face, arms and chest.
One of the blows pierced her lung and severed a major artery near her heart, meaning nothing could be done to save Samantha’s life. Jobson, from Walker in Newcastle, was convicted of murder and jailed for life. She was originally handed a minimum term of 15 years. However, after two separate appeals, that was reduced to 11 years.
Following its premiere in Wallsend Our Sam will be shown at Whitley Bay Playhouse on January 30 and 31 before moving to the NE28 suite in Wallsend on February 7. It is then hoped it can tour around the country and be shown in schools and community venues.
Aware that Our Sam might trigger painful emotions among audience members Wild Roses have also arranged to have support groups and grief counselling organisations at performances.
For more information visit Wild Roses Theatre Group’s Facebook page.