The Murder of Maria Marten or The Red Barn, The Irving Stage Company, The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
The Murder of Suffolk girl Maria Marten in 1827 continues to capture public imagination. It’s been the subject of many newspaper articles, plays and songs. It was the subject of a film in 1935.Many of the plays – including this one - continued to be popular throughout the 19th century. With songs from the time this play was probably one of many playing around East Anglia during the trial.In this performance we see Maria Marten (Deborah Croll) encouraged to fall for the charms of William Corder (Chris Starkey) by the palm reading of the cunning gypsy, Nell Hatfield (Jacqueline Deane) wishing to avenge the death of her sister.Chris Starkey is well cast as William Corder, depicted as a dastardly villain and seemingly reveling in the audience’s dislike of him. A very professional and confident performance with a touch of humor delivered perfectly.Deborah Croll as Maria Marten was not the strongest singer in the cast but tried hard in a role which was probably better suited to a younger woman.Nigel Turner played Thomas Marten, Maria’s Father with a strong, clear voice which made him own the stage.Andrew Deane played Tim Bobbin, the village idiot, raising plenty of laughter from the audience. His scenes with Christian Jenner (Maria’s Sister) were well timed and added plenty of comic relief from the sordid goings on.Jacqueline Deane as Nell Hatfield never missed her cue and had that witches cackle down to fine art when plotting Corder’s demise.The use of minimal props and costume change was in keeping with the 19th Century style, when performers would travel from venue to venue in a cart performing plays from their repertoire.Although there were a few minor hiccups which I’ll put down to first night nerves, my only criticism would be that some of the scenes were a bit drawn out and I did start to loose interest at times. However this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the production.
Kerry Burn
22nd October
TheRed Barn Murder was a notorious murder committed in Polstead, Suffolk, England, in 1827. A young woman, Maria Marten, was shot dead by her lover, William Corder. The two had arranged to meet at the Red Barn, a local landmark, before eloping to Ipswich. Maria was never heard from again. Corder fled the scene and although he sent Marten's family letters claiming she was in good health, her body was later discovered buried in the barn after her stepmother claimed she had dreamt about the murder.Corder was tracked down in London, where he had married and started a new life. He was brought back to Suffolk, and, after a well-publicised trial, found guilty of murder. He was hanged in Bury St. Edmunds in 1828; a huge crowd witnessed Corder's execution. The story provoked numerous articles in the newspapers, and songs and plays. The village where the crime had taken place became a tourist attraction and the barn was stripped by souvenir hunters. The plays and ballads remained popular throughout the next century and continue to be performed today.
