Theatre is at its best when it can retell a story in a new dynamic, a new setting or with a new spin.
All of the above are true of Beth Flintoff’s adaptation; The Ballad of Maria Marten which tells the true story of a harrowing true crime which took place in 1827. The Red Barn Murder which occurred in Suffolk saw Maria Marten shot and then buried for over a year before her body was discovered, but this play doesn’t focus on just her death but more a celebration of her life and it’s incredibly captivating as a result.
Directed by Hal Chambers, this play doesn’t feel like a murder mystery nor does it feel like a dark crime drama, it’s inviting and makes a statement that Maria Marten’s murder is not her defining life moment; she had a life – she loved, she laughed, and it’s a clever reworking which has humour and friendship – delivered by an outstanding all-female cast; Elizabeth Crarer plays the title role of Maria Marten with a real energy and sharp wit, joined by the talented Jessica Dives , Susie Barrett, Sarah Goddard, Bethan Nash and Lydia Bakelmun who deliver vigorous full bodied portrayals of nine different characters throughout.
The play opens with Crarer as Marten announcing ‘it’s been a year since I died’ who is then joined by the cast on stage who wash away her injuries and transport her back to before the fateful event, right in that very first moment; we see this is a play about female camaraderie and how there can be a strong power in that, and by removing the actual murder from the story or at least depicting her alive instead of just a bloody corpse , this in part gives power to the victim and allows Maria Marten to reclaim her life – this can be seen throughout the production and I thought it was an extremely clever way of retelling the story, and a story of any 19th century poor woman has many hardships but there is still joy, music and friendship in this play which is always quick paced throughout as we learn how this head-strong woman ended up dying at the hands of the man she was due to marry.
The staging is quite simplistic using a selection of moving props and lighting to keep the story moving quickly and as it changes to each new scene; sound effects are used to capture the situation of the scenes as they build, used effectively.
In short; this production is a captivating, eye-opening piece of theatre which gives life again to its victim, a stellar piece of theatre with a talented cast.
Playing until 25th September https://thelowry.com/whats-on/the-ballad-of-maria-marten/
Reviewer: Max Eden
Reviewed: 23rd September 2021
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★