Thou Shalt Not: the Hall-Mills double homicide of 1922

THOU SHALT NOT is a critically-acclaimed theatrical re-imagining of a true crime. As a guest of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, the audience will meet Reverend Edward Hall, Mrs. Frances Hall, Eleanor Mills and all the main players of New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1922. The audience will be guided through a dark and surreal journey of the events leading to the vicious murders of "the minister and the choir singer," and the "circus" that surrounded it. THOU SHALT NOT is a re-assessment of history, the complicity of a community, and the sharp exploration of the female voices long since hushed. The staging of this play is site-specific, peripatetic and immersive. After a sold-out run in 2019, and COVID-cancelled performances in 2020, THOU SHALT NOT returns in September 2022.

Critical Praise for Thinkery & Verse:

“An immersive tapestry...its voice, full of humour, poetry and humanity, distinctively different from that of many Western dramas exploring the same subject." about Bride of the Gulf by The Scotsman.

"Meyer carefully crafts refreshing female leads at three very different points in womanhood... the arcs of the women are heart-wrenching and realistic." about The Priceless Slave by The Daily Texan.

“The inevitable breach between performance and reality is exactly what this play is all about - and exactly what makes it so unsettling." about American Volunteers by The Austinist.

Schedule

Previews run September 14th, 15th, and 16th. Ticket-buyers to the previews will be offered complementary tickets to a later date. Opening night is Saturday, September 17th. Our current schedule runs until Friday, October 14th. All shows begin at 7:30pm. A matinee may be scheduled at a later date, depending upon demand.

Directions to the Assembly Hall

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist is located at 189 George Street, at the intersection of New Brunswick's George Street and Paul Robeson Avenue. Free parking is available at the church's small lot, and along George Street. The New Brunswick train station is located in the city center, about a fifteen minute walk from the church. The Rutgers University shuttles stop outside the church.

**COVID Safety Protocols:**

(1) All attendees are required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine. Proof of a complete COVID-19 vaccination and proof of a booster dose, along with a valid ID, are required for entry into the theater space.

(2) Masks (preferably an N95 or KN95) must be worn at all times, except when actively eating or drinking.

(3) The cast, crew, and volunteers of THOU SHALT NOT are fully vaccinated.

(4) These policies are subject to change depending on local conditions, and federal, state, and local guidelines.