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The Ballad of Maria Marten
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. Subsequent national tours were produced with Eastern Angles by Matthew Linley Creative Projects in association with the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
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. Subsequent national tours were produced with Eastern Angles by Matthew Linley Creative Projects in association with the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
- GenresPlays
87 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 3, 2022
Loved reading this - I imagine it would be fairly difficult to stage and direct, but if done well would be incredibly effective and emotional to watch.
I loved the storytelling element with Maria and all the monologues directed to the audience. And the plot really draws you right in, not revealing until the very end the circumstances within which she found herself murdered.
It also brings up some very necessary and pertinent questions about the treatment and perception of women.
Thoroughly enjoyed. And what a challenge it would be to act in this!
I loved the storytelling element with Maria and all the monologues directed to the audience. And the plot really draws you right in, not revealing until the very end the circumstances within which she found herself murdered.
It also brings up some very necessary and pertinent questions about the treatment and perception of women.
Thoroughly enjoyed. And what a challenge it would be to act in this!
June 20, 2023
So I bought this script after watching the original play by Eastern Angles Theatre company! Just Wow! The script is so moving and poignant, not really dealing with the murder of Maria Marten but with her life. It’s a tale of women’s strength as much as any weakness, in fact more so. So many echoes of modern domestic violence.
The script is amazing in itself to read but if you ever get a chance to see this play performed I urge you to do it.
The script is amazing in itself to read but if you ever get a chance to see this play performed I urge you to do it.
November 28, 2024
A very powerful stage play about the life and death of Maria Marten. Strong cast of characters. The women and the stories they tell are important.
May 3, 2025
Might write a more in depth review at another point, read this a couple of years ago and never forgotten it. Might be one of my absolute favourite plays.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews