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(Theatre thriller/
Psychological) In 1612, witches
are everywhere. Milk turns from sour to fresh. Clay dolls are found buried in
the ground. A man is crippled by the words of a young woman... Through this horror
a lawman walks. It is his duty to bring the guilty to justice, and right the wrongs
the witches perpetrate. On
August 17th, 1612, the trial begins. But a stranger is in town, watching. Through
him, the modern day writer, we see the horror of the trial. We also see the truth.
Or, at least, we see a version of the truth. As he says: "Isn't it strange
how history is rewritten for the comfort of society. If they were not witches,
the story is one of the abuse of power. We scoff at their petty laws in the light
of our civilisation. But what if they were witches? What if there is rape, and
abuse, and Satan within us all. What then? What comfort then?" But
the stranger is losing control. The reality of history, public and private, combine
to devastating results, implicating all of us. Genre
Part thriller, part social exploration
Duration
One hour forty
CHARACTERS Roger
Nowell
Aged 62, male. Grey hair, austere, beard. Nowell wears round glasses
for reading. He is an historical figure and was made Magistrate of Lancashire
parish in 1610. He was said to be heavily reliant on King James - and considered
by many to take his lead from him. He is articulate, well educated and well versed
in spotting witchcraft... Troubled by nightmares he is sure something very wrong
is about to happen... Demdike
Real name Elizabeth Southerns. Had three children called James, Alizon and
Jennet Device. Her husband - John - died mysteriously in 1601 after stopping paying
protection money to Chattox... Aged 80, female, historical figure. Said to be
intensely ugly and was feared and mistrusted... especially as she was said to
perform acts of witchcraft for a fee. Most of this witchcraft involved the use
of herbs and spices to alleviate illness or turn milk or ale sweet/ sour. Most
of her acts can be explained scientifically - and are all possible - though at
the time these were seen as signs that she was a witch... Aggravated by these
accusations she often pretended to do more witchcraft. Jennet
Device
Young, female, psychic. She is the only one that sees through to
the reality of the events... She is troubled by strange nightmares and premonitions...
As such everyone is sure she is a witch. But her premonitions are just warnings.
People are scared of her, and as such she's in great danger... Alizon
and James Device
Alizon is ugly but has an elevated view of self importance.
Sleeps around. Aged about eighteen and sister to Jennet and James. James is thirteen,
male, autistic, and also a historical figure. John
Law
Middle aged, male. Peddler by trade. Had relationship with Alizon
which ended badly... Afterwards he said Alizon had cursed him into illness.
Thomas
Potts
Assistant to Nowell. Historically created the now much maligned
account of the trial ('the wonderful discovery of witches'). He is young, petulant,
eager to learn, scared of witches but in awe of Nowell. Chattox
Similar age to Demdike (around 80). They had a rivalry for many years - and
both vied for the position of age, authority and perceived witch. Alice
Nutter
In her forties, female, historical figure. Alice worshipped the
'old faith' - namely Catholicism. And as such was considered to be dangerous.
Smart
(Emissary from king)
Mysterious character who introduces himself to Nowell
as an emissary from the King but seems to have a keen interest in the witches,
and knows more than is possible... The catalyst for much of the action, he is
around twenty five years old, male and attractive. Cloaked
Man
Visits Chattox and is seen around the village.... Dark, mysterious
character of indeterminate age or history. Seems to know everything... Vicar
Same age as Nowell and almost an alter-ego. Seen as the spiritual leader of
the community but also somehow involved in dark deals and dubious characters...
His aims in life include the desire to increase the land the church owns - and
also the extinction of Catholics within the community. These dual aims sometimes
conveniently blind him to the truth... Generally he is an honest man, but what
is the real truth behind his business dealings? And what does he know about the
dead child? A
writer is afraid of his past and terrified of his future. He hides behind the
mask of the innocent victims of a corrupt and paranoid society, tried and executed
at Lancaster Castle in 1612. This haunting plays skilfully recreates the chaotic
past of the Pendle Witches, drawing them into an incomplete present and his own
volatile past.
For
full script contact pdevonald@hotmail.com
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2002-2011: PETER DEVONALD | 