The tragic story of Samantha Madgin will be depicted in a new play, highlighting the impact of her murder on the community and her family.
Wallsend: The heartbreaking story of Samantha Madgin is set to hit the stage. Samantha was just 18 when her life was tragically cut short by Jordan Jobson, a 15-year-old who stabbed her just weeks after she gave birth to her son, Callum.
Since that awful day in 2007, Samantha’s family has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about knife crime. They started an organization called Samantha’s Legacy, which has reached out to schools across the North East, educating kids about the dangers of carrying knives.
Now, they’re bringing her story to life in a play called “Our Sam.” It’s being produced by the Wild Roses Theatre Group and will premiere in Wallsend later this month. Samantha’s mum, Alison, is excited about the production, saying it’s a chance for Samantha’s voice to be heard again.
Alison even gave some of Samantha’s clothes to the actress playing her, which adds a personal touch to the performance. She hopes the play will resonate with young people and change their perspectives on knife crime.
The idea for the play came when Wild Roses reached out to Samantha’s family. Writer and director Donna Peat collaborated closely with them to ensure the story was told authentically. Alison and her sister Carly were on board right away, as they had always wanted to share Samantha’s story.
Our Sam will take the audience through Samantha’s life, from her happy childhood to becoming a young mother and the devastating aftermath of her murder. Alison mentioned that the play captures both the joy and the sorrow of their family’s journey.
Donna, who started Wild Roses after the lockdown, aims to tackle tough topics like knife crime through theatre. She feels a deep responsibility to tell Samantha’s story, knowing how much it affected not just her family but the entire community.
As the play unfolds, it starts off light-hearted but quickly shifts to the trauma following Samantha’s death. Donna believes it will be an emotional experience for everyone involved, and she’s proud of the work they’ve done together.
The cast includes professional actors and drama students, with Ruby Wilson taking on the role of Samantha. Using Samantha’s real clothes during rehearsals helps the actors connect with their characters on a deeper level.
It’s heartbreaking to think about how Samantha was just enjoying a night out when she crossed paths with Jobson, who was under the influence and armed with a knife. The details of that night are chilling, and it’s a stark reminder of the impact of violence.
After its premiere, Our Sam will also be shown in Whitley Bay and hopefully tour schools and community venues across the country. To support audience members who might find the play triggering, Wild Roses has arranged for grief counseling services to be available during performances.
For more details, check out Wild Roses Theatre Group’s Facebook page.
