Read through/auditions 17th June 7pm Little Village Hall Blockley
The Ballad of Maria Marten by Beth Flintoff is a modern play based on the true events and tragic murder of a young woman in 1827. The notorious crime story became a media sensation at the time and, subsequently, the subject for numerous songs, plays and a bloodcurdling Victorian melodrama - The Red Barn Murder,
By contrast, this modern adaptation tells the story from Maria's perspective and brings with it a celebration of her life and times. Recent productions have described the play as: "a glorious piece of folk theatre," "a joyous play that gives life and dignity to the victim" and "a thrilling retelling of a well-known story".
We will be staging the play from Thursday 29th to Saturday 31st October. Rehearsals will run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from the end of August through to the show, plus additional rehearsals during the fortnight before the show. Smaller parts will not be required for all rehearsals and male parts will rehearse on Wednesday. We will be setting up and breaking down the show on the weekends before and after the show and all help welcomed.
Characters:
Maria Marten - this is a demanding role requiring experience of delivering monologues and audience interaction.
Lucy, Theresa, Sarah, Phoebe - Maria's friends who play a central role in telling the story.
Ann - Maria's step-mother and friend.
Lady Cooke - landed gentlewoman who takes a liking to Maria
*Peter Matthews - brother of Lady Cooke
*Thomas Corder - brother of the perpetrator
*Mrs Woodstock, Miss Anvil and Miss Pettigrew - dressmakers to Lady Cooke
* These parts are all quite small and the actors may also feature in some crowd scenes.
For more information about the play and any of the parts, please do not hesitate to contact the director Hazel Cook on 07503 185215 or hazelcook@btinternet.com
Venue address - Blockley Little Village Hall, Bell Bank, Blockley GL56 9BB
