TWO-man theatre company Plain Quakers returned to Tavistock on Saturday, performing to an attentive and appreciative audience at the United Reformed Church.

Their play 'Nine Parts a Quaker-Unfinished Business' is an updated version of a script originally written in 2007 to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.

The actors researched, wrote, directed and performed it, intercutting stories of modern slavery with accounts of the dedicated work of men like Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce.

Mike Casey and Arthur Pritchard used the simple and effective technique of donning 18th century coats and hat for the examination of the early campaigns against slavery, with Clarkson's gradual realisation of the full horrors and immorality of the iniquitous trade tellingly portrayed.

The 21st century human trafficking and indentured labour were depicted with a contemporary 'trader' stating that 'in business there is no room for sentiment'. The audience was challenged by the question — if the 19th century abolished slavery, why are more than 20 million people enslaved today?

After the performance, members of the audience were able to raise questions with the actors.