THE BALLAD OF MARIA MARTEN to return on tour from September

The critically acclaimed ‘The Ballad of Maria Marten’ will return to the stage this autumn with a thrilling new tour. The production is a retelling of a harrowing true crime story and turns history into her-story with complex love, loss, prejudice, and patriarchal power.

Set in the summer of 1827 Maria Marten awaits her lover in a red barn, a year later her body is found underneath the flooring in the grain sack. This adaptation by Beth Flintoff focusses on Maria’s life rather than death and allows Maria to give her perspective on the infamous ’Red Barn Murder’.

It has an all-female cast and Elizabeth Crarer will return as Maria Marten alongside Jessica Dives and Susie Barrett. Joining them will be Sarah Goddard, Bethan Nash and Lydia Bakelmun.

The production is directed by Hal Chambers who had this to say “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. “

Writer Beth Flintoff was inspired by her work with survivors of psychological abuse and this timely production highlights the dangers lurking behind closed doors.

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. “

The tour will begin at Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, close to where the murder took place. It will then visit The Lowry in Salford, Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, The Stahl in Oundle, Theatre Royal Winchester, The Haymarket in Basingstoke, Marina Theatre in Lowestoft and Mercury Theatre in Colchester.

Tickets are available from individual theatre box offices.