It’s 1809. Mary Bateman is about to be hung for witchcraft and murder. Her career of crime has included fake identities, magic charms, poisoned pudding, a holy hen, drunk watchmen and – of course – a freshly-shaved leg of mutton.

‘Mutton’ is the new play from Leeds theatre company Brave Words, exploring the rise and fall of the Yorkshire Witch. It has been written by Brave Words’ Artistic Director, Chris Singleton. He said:

“When I heard about Mary, I was immediately captivated. The audacity of a woman pretending her pet hen could predict the end of the world!

“In the early 1800s, people were living in poverty. They were scared by the rapid development of new technology. Mary’s witchcraft promised them a better life, offered them power and protection. People believed in her because they were desperate.”

Chris was writer in residence at Leeds Central Library in 2019 when he first learned about Mary. Six years later, the first performance of Mutton will take place in the same room, before the show tours across Leeds and parts of Yorkshire in November.

Mutton is a dark comedy-drama, inspired by Fleabag, the League of Gentlemen and Brassic; a show about magic, firmly rooted in the North. It has been made by a female-led team, with director Lucy Campbell at the helm. Lucy said:

“For me, it’s a story that is both contemporary and historical – a story about how women fight to thrive and survive in a patriarchal world. I’m very excited to be bringing our version of Mary’s story to audiences across Leeds and Yorkshire.”

The show will be coming to Rowland Road WMC in Beeston on Saturday 29 November at 2:30pm; tickets for this are pay-what-you-can, in line with Brave Words’ ethos of making professional theatre accessible for all.

To hear Mary’s story from the witch herself (and the beak of the Prophet Hen), catch Mutton this November. For full list of shows and to book tickets, visit www.bravewords.co.uk/mutton

Age guidance 12+
Content warnings:
– Threat of hanging
– Themes of domestic violence
– Assisted dying

 

This post is based on a press release issued by Brave Words

 

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