Synopsis
The Ballad of Maria Marten
Published by Nick Hern Books
2 Male 7 Female
A thrilling retelling of a real-life murder mystery …
'It's been a year since I died, and still nobody has found me'
Summer, 1827
In a red barn in Suffolk, Maria Marten awaits her lover
A year later, hidden in a grain sack under the floor of the barn, Maria's body is found, barely identifiable
And the manhunt begins
The Red Barn Murder had all the hallmarks of a classic crime drama: a missing body, a country location, a disreputable squire and a village stuck in its age-old traditions
But whilst sending shockwaves throughout the country, Maria's own story was lost
The Ballad of Maria Marten rediscovers her story, bringing it back to vivid, urgent life
Cast-size; M2,F7 (flexible)
REVIEWS
'Rich and transporting' ~ The Stage
'The genius of what Beth Flintoff has done is that it is not about the gruesome murder ... but the person. Vital, layered and empowered, a beautiful piece of theatre' ~ A Younger Theatre
'Flintoff restores dignity to Maria ... unexpectedly joyous' ~ Guardian