A true story retold - not as history remembers it, but as Maria lived it

The Ballad of Maria Marten retells the infamous Red Barn Murder of 1827, but shifts the focus away from the sensational crime and firmly onto Maria herself. Speaking from beyond the grave, Maria guides the audience through her own story – her relationships, her community, and the circumstances that led to her disappearance.

Rather than a conventional murder drama, the play “un-murders” Maria, restoring her voice, humour, and humanity. Through an ensemble of villagers, memories, songs, and shared storytelling, the piece explores themes of gender, class, reputation, desire, and the ways women’s lives are shaped – and silenced – by society.

GENRE: Thriller