… and other venues until 29 November.
It was fitting that the first performance of Mutton took place in the Family History and Reference Library at Leeds Central Library. The Victorian panelled gallery provided a fitting venue for Brave Words’ historical drama. Writer Chris Singleton may well have visited the Yorkshire archives here to research the life of Mary Bateman, from her beginnings in Thirsk in 1768 to her autopsy in Leeds in 1809.
Mutton tells the story of Mary, also known as the Yorkshire Witch. The play, loosely based on historical facts, tells her story from a female perspective, showing her resisting the attempts of men to control her and her empathy and support for other women. At the same time, she exploits all classes and genders through theft, intimidating anyone who threatens to report her to the authorities with the threat of a witch’s curse.
The curses are pure imagination, but Mary’s skills as a herbalist give her credibility. In the play, we see her providing a sleeping draught and using poison. Historians suggest she offered a variety of services to women, including abortion. The play does not justify Mary’s actions; she clearly has a weak moral compass. Instead, it shows how, out of desperation, she resorts to theft and deception.
Mary, as played by Kathryn Hanke, is a strong willed, outspoken character, but we get to see she was not always like this, having gained strength, confidence and knowledge by becoming part of a community of witches in response to her mistreatment by men. The young Mary and her apprentice, Wini, are played by Eman Sayed. Whilst Hanke’s characterisation brims with self-assuredness and a certain arrogance, the characters played by Sayed are young, naive and gullible. Wini is attracted to the macabre and spirits, giving off a Wednesday Adam’s vibe, but at heart she is a young girl who misses her dead mother and wants a fairer life.
The two central female characters are ably supported by David Chafer, who plays all nine of the male roles, and Claire O’Connor. Chafer, through changes of costume, diction and carriage, never leaves any doubt about which character he is playing. The three characters played by O’Connor are so different that it is difficult to believe they are played by the same person.
Mary takes things too far when she announces that her pet hen has laid an egg that predicts the end of the world. Members of the public pay to see the prophetic hen and her magic eggs. In a nasty historical twist, after her hanging, the public bought tickets to attend the three-day autopsy of Mary Bateman at Leeds General Infirmary. Her remains became the property of the University of Leeds. In fact, part of her body was on display at the Thackray Museum from 1997 to 2015.
The hen in question is a puppet made by Kathleen Lore, which is voiced and controlled by Sayed. The hen becomes a character, shown affection by both female leads. Although their affection does not stop them forcing eggs, they have etched with messages, back into the bird’s body to be relaid to a public audience.
The play raises questions about public gullibility, especially in times of hardship. It considers what individuals may do when they feel desperate. However, at its root is the knowledge that we live in a society where life for women is difficult and unfair. While the audience might not agree with her methods, it is difficult not to be impressed by Mary Bateman’s attempts to disrupt the status quo.
Poisoning, the theft of a leg of mutton and mass deception; just a few of Mary Bateman’s crimes. This is a story seeped in Leeds history, a tale so strange that it would not be believed, if it were not true.
Further performances are taking place across Leeds until November 29th.
Buy tickets from the Brave Words website.
West Park United Reform Church, Harrogate, Saturday 15th November 7.30pm
The Old Fire Station, Gipton, Leeds, Sunday 16th November 2.30pm
HOPS, Hawksworth Village Hall, Leeds, Wednesday 19th November 2pm
Interplay, Armley, Leeds, Friday 21st November, 7.30pm
Stainbeck United Reform Church, Meanwood, Leeds, Saturday 22nd November 7.30pm
Chapel FM, Seacroft, Leeds, Wednesday 26th November, 7.30pm
St John’s Parish Hall, Barnsley, Friday 28th November, 7pm
Rowland Road Working Men’s Club, Leeds, Saturday 29th November, 2.30pm
Photography by Tom Woollard unless otherwise credited.
