The Ballad of Maria Marten by Beth Flintoff - 29th-31st October 2026
Love, lies and murder, this modern play is based on the true events and tragic death of a young woman in 1827 and tells the story that became the subject of numerous newpaper articles, songs, plays and the bloodcurdling Victorian melodrama known as theThe Red Barn Murder,
Director
Hazel Cook
Cast
Maria Marten - Caroline Gee
Lucy - Rachel Jones
Theresa - Ginny Vaughan
Sarah - Sue Downing
Phoebe - Nikki Holt
Ann - Jo Knight
Lady Cooke - Sandra Gee
Peter Matthews - Andy Mackenzie
Thomas Corder/lawyer - Simon Cook
Mrs Woodstock and villager - Evie Bowyer
William Corder - David Artingstall
Creatives
Set Design and Building - Hazel Cook, Simon Cook and The Dovedale Doodlers: Eleanor Phillips, Helen Rose, Marion Bourne and Jayne Wall.
Technical - Berns Russ, Roger Salmons, Phil Sellick, David Artingstall,
Wardrobe and Props- Ingrid Gibbs, Catherine Firth and Jan Dodd
Stage Management
Simon Cook, James Keay-Bright, Evie Bowyer
Original music
Naomi Moriis
Musicians
Naomi Morris, Roger Morris, David Artingstall
Special thanks to Sheila Weir, Longborough Festival Opera, The Bear Pit Theatre and Rose Theatre for the loan of costumes and props; members of the local community for help with front of house duties, and to Holman's Estate Agents for sponsoring the programme.
The play was presented with permission from Nick Hern Books.
