A thrilling retelling of a real-life murder mystery, critically-acclaimed production The Ballad of Maria Marten returns to stages across the UK this spring 2022.
Produced by Eastern Angles and Matthew Linley Creative Projects, Beth Flintoff’s captivating drama turns history into her-story through the exploration of love, loss, trauma, and patriarchal power.
The show takes in 3 venues across East Anglia, the production opens in February at the
vibrant and newly refurbished Mercury Theatre, Colchester (8th-9th February) and in
March the show makes its way onto Suffolk soil with performances at two of Suffolk’s
best loved theatres, the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft (1st-2nd March) and the New
Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (17th-19th March).
For anyone who would like to see the show but can’t make it to any of the venues then there is also a watch from home livestream of the show from the New Wolsey Theatre on the 19th March.
This timely production highlights the dangers lurking behind closed doors, as the country
emerges from the pandemic with domestic abuse rates higher than ever before. Flintoff
covers these themes with expressive sensitivity – she is an exciting writer previously long-
listed for the Bruntwood Prize and the winner of a 2021 MGCfutures Bursary for theatre-
makers of the future.
It is summer 1827 and in a red barn Maria Marten awaits her lover. One year later, her
body is found underneath the flooring in a grain sack, and the manhunt begins. Focusing
on Maria’s life rather than her death, this acclaimed adaptation by Beth Flintoff (co-
director, The Incident Room, New Diorama; writer, The Rivals, The Watermill Theatre)
brings Maria’s own perspective to the forefront of the infamous ‘Red Barn Murder’.
The incredible all-female cast includes Jessica Dives (Pride and Prejudice and Merry
Wives of Windsor, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Macbeth and Hamlet, Young
Shakespeare Company), Susie Barrett (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Vaults; The
Gruffalo, West End) and Sarah Goddard (Hetty Feather, West End, UK and US tour; 2066,
Almeida Theatre). The production is directed by Hal Chambers, who has just finished two
years directing with the RSC.
Originally commissioned by Eastern Angles, writer Beth Flintoff was inspired by her work
with survivors of psychological abuse. The Ballad of Maria Marten is a clarion call for an
equal and safe society. The story hopes to showcase the power and joy that can be found
in female camaraderie.
Beth Flintoff comments, “Eleven women died at the hands of their partners during the first three weeks of lockdown. It’s never been more important for us to consider and celebrate the lives of those that society does not manage to protect. This is an old story, about the infamous murder of a woman, but now the story is told from her point of view. I wanted to focus on who Maria was: who she loved, what she laughed about, and what she does when she’s having fun. I didn’t want her to be a victim anymore, so there is no violence onstage.”
Director Hal Chambers adds, “At the beginning of The Ballad of Maria Marten writer Beth
Flintoff‘s stage direction tells us that Maria’s best friends ‘unmurder’ her and that is
exactly what we are trying to do with this production. Nearly 200 years on, we hope to let
Maria and her friends finally have a voice – and what emerges, especially post-lockdown,
is a play for our times. Told in vivid movement, searing music and a swirl of passion, The
Ballad of Maria Marten stars a dazzling all-female ensemble.”
For full tour dates and booking links visit www.mariamarten.com.
