Coven review – witchcraft musical cursed with cartoonish characters
Kiln theatre, LondonThe accused of the Pendle witch trials are given a voice but this glib production fails to do them justiceRebecca Brewer and Daisy Chute’s musical, inspired by the...
By Arifa Akbar · The Guardian Culture
Kiln theatre, London The accused of the Pendle witch trials are given a voice but this glib production fails to do them justice Rebecca Brewer and Daisy Chute’s musical, inspired by the Pendle witch trials of the 17th century, clearly seeks to turn the accused women from footnotes in history to flesh and blood beings, outrageously wronged and relaying their own stories. A group of Lancashire women are awaiting their fates behind bars: the church-going Frances (Shiloh Coke) whose husband is her accuser and who has suffered child loss; heavily pregnant Rose (Lauryn Redding); Maggie (Jacinta Whyte), who makes medicine from herbs; and Nell (Allyson Ava-Brown), a midwife or maid to Frances. The drama kicks off with a newly deposited prisoner, Jenet (Gabrielle Brooks), famed for testifying against her family for witchcraft as a child, who is now accused of the same thing. At Kiln theatre, London , until 17 January Continue reading...