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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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HERE FOR MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE
All
rights reserved 2002-2009: PETER DEVONALD
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