The John O'Gaunt Irregulars performance group grew from the Newcastle-under-Lyme re-enactment of the Mock-Mayor performance in 2019, initiated by the Friends of the Guildhall: Author Glenn Martin James (who scripted and produced the show) and Jayne Fair of GROW North Staffs (who designed and made most of the costumes, and props, and applied for the funding) realised that there was a need for a fre
e standing unofficial group to put on performances of this kind, which would be open to the community at large. Work on this project ceased for two years due to the Pandemic, but plan recieved the blessing of the Newcastle's heritage committee when presented to them in autumn 2021. This intention was confirmed by the success of staging a re-enactment of the Queen's coronation for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations, along with the Friends. The production proved a considerable success and confirmed the plans of the founders for starting the group. The group is inclusive and does not accept racial hatred or extremism or bigotry, and aims to be welcoming to the people of Newcastle and Staffordshire who wish to be involved in productions being staged. When called together the company will form together for specific productions when required, and aims to stage at least two performances a year - one designed as an opportunity to the youth and students of Newcastle, and one for the community as a whole, although this will depend if other productions evolve across a given period, to be staged across a given year. Productions will be staged in the centre of Newcastle, with the Market Cross by the Guildhall being an ideal performance space, although other locations are to be considered according to the demands of a given production. The company's standard features the lost castle of Newcastle, (The castle of John O'Gaunt, from who we take our name), and the three Catherine Wheel of the coat of arms of Katherine Swynford, his third wife. (These are adopted affectionately, both for the town, and for founder Glenn James late second father, Medievalist Dr. Roger Joy, who founded the Katherine Swynford Society.)
