'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. Beth Flintoff's thrilling play was first performed by an all-female cast in a production by Eastern Angles in July 2018. Subsequent national tours were produced with Eastern Angles by Matthew Linley Creative Projects in association with the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

About the Author
Beth Flintoff is a playwright, dramaturg and theatre director. Her plays include: A Christmas Carol (Reading Rep, 2021/22); The Ballad of Maria Marten (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, and UK tour, 2020/21); The World We Made (Warwick Arts Centre, 2019); The Glove Thief (2017, commissioned by Tonic Theatre Company as part of their Platform scheme in association with Nick Hern Books); Matilda the Empress (Reading Between the Lines, Reading, 2017); and Greenham: One Hundred Years of War and Peace (a large-scale site specific performance piece performed on Greenham Common in September 2017). She is currently an Associate Artist at Rabble Theatre Company, for whom she has written plays including Henry I, Matilda the Empress, Henry II, and The Last Abbot. Previously she was the founding Artistic Director of new-writing fringe ensemble Debut Theatre Company, and was Outreach Director at The Watermill Theatre in Berkshire. Author photo by Ian Legge.

Reviews

'A glorious piece of folk theatre'

* The Times *

'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 *

'Rich and transporting'

* The Stage *

'A unique and engrossing historical play, perfect for a group of female students... Flintoff's play may be set in the past but it's definitely written to highlight things that we must seek to change in the future. A captivating read'

* Drama & Theatre Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9781839040450
Author Beth Flintoff
Format Paperback
Page Count 88
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books