LEGENDARY Swiss folk hero William Tell famously shot an apple from his son’s head helping to spark an uprising against tyrannical rulers.

And since those times in the Middle Ages, Tell has proved an inspiration to freedom fighters across the world.

Now, in the world premiere of a new version of the classic story by German playwright Friedrich Schiller, Abingdon Drama Club is bringing it to life on the stage of the town’s Unicorn Theatre in Checker Walk from Wednesday to Saturday, September 25 to 28.

Living peacefully with his family and enjoying hunting in the high mountain passes, Tell, played by Terry Atkinson, does not want to get involved in the fight against the Habsburg Empire rulers.

But he is famed throughout the land for his extraordinary markmanship with the crossbow and Gessler (Lawley Barnett), the most sadistic of the governors, decides the best way to break the spirit of the people is to eliminate one of their heroes. So he sets a trap for Tell but ends up setting off a chain of events, which wi

ll change the country forever. Liz Adams plays Tell’s wife Hedwig and their two sons William and Walter are portrayed by Harry Bowden and Kai Spratt. Director Michael Ward told the Herald: “This ADC production of William Tell is based on the original Schiller play but has been considerably cut down.

“Many of the subplots are not included and the main focus is on Tell himself. “The full-length play would last about four hours and requires a huge cast that could not all fit on to the stage of the Unicorn theatre!

“Our version is 90 minutes of fast-paced action and drama.”

Ward added: “This version uses physical theatre, projections and models to create everything from boats battling against storms to castles being destroyed, live on stage.

“The show has something for the whole family and is suitable for children aged eight and over.”

The other members of the cast are: Walter Furst (Adam Blake), Hildegard (his wife)/Armgart /Tour Guide (Geraldine McTier), Werner Shauffacher/Judge (Keith Hales), Gertrude (his wife) (Jill Calvert), Melchthal/Guard (Leon Witcomb), Ruodi /Landenberg/Reding/Priest (Richard Wilson), Bertha/Svendja/Widow/Mother (Maria Crocker), Baumgarten/Shepherd (Ashley Curran), Lord Attinghaus (David Hodson), Uli/Captain/Guard (Tony Green), Wolfshot/Tax Collector/Guard (Harry Naylor), The Emperor/Guard (Oscar Thomas) and Emperor’s Servant/Guard (T J Sen).

The performance starts at 7.30pm each evening and tickets at £8 adult and £7 concessions are available from The Bookstore in the Bury Street shopping precinct, Abingdon, by email to: tickets@unicornboxoffice.org.uk or by calling 0845 4636638.