The Ballard of Maria Marten
By Beth Flintoff
In 1827, in a Suffolk barn, a young woman waited to meet her lover, not expecting that this night would be her last. The murder of Maria Marten and the story of the red barn, based on real events, has been told many times and in many ways, the focus often being on the gruesome details. Songs have been written about it and there has been much musing about whether Maria “deserved what she got”.
But here the playwright has reversed the telling. Yes it’s the story
of the murder but it’s an 'un-murdering'; the story of a brave young
woman’s struggle to survive in a man’s world told with affection and gentle humour.
“This is not a play about violence. It’s a play about the people that experience it; it’s a play about love.”
“A glorious piece of folk theatre”
The Times
This amateur production of The Ballad of Maria Marten
is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes including an interval.
Things I Know to be True
by Andrew Bovell
Things I Know to be True is a poignant and emotionally powerful play about the Price family as they navigate love, change, and the challenges of growing up and growing older. Over one year, each family member faces personal struggles that test their bonds and reshape their understanding of each other. It’s a heartfelt story about identity, connection, and the lasting truths that hold families together. With lyrical language and moments of physical theatre, Things I Know to Be True is both a powerful family drama and a reflection on the bonds that define us.
“A powerful and deeply moving study of family life – beautifully observed, painfully truthful,
and achingly poetic.”
The Guardian
This amateur production of Things I Know to be True is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books
Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including interval
|
Kinky Boots
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper
Original Broadway Production
Directed and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell
Based on the Miramax motion picture Kinky Boots
Written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth
Kinky Boots is the true story of Charlie Price, a young man who inherits his fathers shoe factory, based in Northampton, which sadly is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy footwear. With Lola’s help, Charlie creates a new brand of shoes for a very particular clientele, and both their lives change for forever.
You change the world when you change your mind!
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk
Approximate Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval.
Warning: Some strong language .